Allergy warning over Covid-19 vaccine

Regulators have warned that people with a history of significant allergic reactions should not have the Pfizer Covid vaccination.

The new advice by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, applies to people who have had reactions to food, medicines or vaccines.

The warning comes following allergic reactions by two NHS workers on Tuesday. Both had a reaction shortly after receiving the jab, had treatment and are fine now. They are understood to have suffered from an anaphylactoid reaction, usually involving breathlessness, a skin rash and sometimes a drop in blood pressure. This is not the same as anaphylaxis, which can be fatal.

Both workers have a history of serious allergies and carry adrenaline pens around with them.

NHS England’s medical director Professor Stephen Powis, said “As is common with new vaccines, the MHRA have advised on a precautionary basis that people with a significant history of allergic reactions do not receive this vaccination after two people with a history of significant allergic reactions responded adversely.”

Professor Peter Openshaw, immunology expert at Imperial College London, said “The fact that we know so soon about these two allergic reactions and that the regulator has acted on this to issue precautionary advice shows that this monitoring system is working well.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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