COVID-19 Updates and Information

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) has updated its advice regarding risks of allergic reactions to new mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, such as those manufactured by Moderna and by Pfizer-BioNTech.

“Reactions to vaccines, in general, are rare,” the ACAAI says. Still, the group says, the new vaccines should be given in health care settings where reactions can be treated and patients “must be observed for at least 15-30 minutes…to monitor for any adverse reaction.”

Briefly, the ACAAI’s advice includes the following:

• Anyone with severe allergic reaction to the first shot should not get the second shot.
• People with allergies to medications, foods, insects and latex are no more likely than the general public to be allergic to the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
• It’s not clear yet whether having had an allergic reaction to an older type of vaccine means people will react badly to the mRNA vaccines; these individuals should discuss the vaccine’s benefits and risks with their health care providers. “These recommendations are based on best knowledge to date but could change at any time, “the ACAAI says.

SOURCE: American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, online December 22, 2020

Further Information from ACAAI:
https://acaai.org/news/acaai-provides-further-guidance-risk-allergic-reactions-mrna-covid-19-vaccines

Herd immunity and COVID-19:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/herd-immunity-and-coronavirus/art-20486808