What to Know About Allergic Reactions to COVID Vaccines Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.

What to Know About Allergic Reactions to COVID-19 Vaccines

There have been a handful of anaphylaxis cases be aware if you are at risk

Anna Stills/Getty Images Among 1.8 million people in the U.S. who've received the first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, 21 have had severe allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis, according to the . Though an anaphylactic reaction is potentially life-threatening, it can be quickly halted with medicines such as epinephrine. All of the patients recovered. The agency recommends that vaccination providers have such emergency medications and appropriate medical equipment available on site — and “not just have the EpiPen available, but know how to use it” added Nancy Messonnier, M.D., director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, in a press call on Jan. 6. (An EpiPen is an epinephrine injector.) Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. The CDC reported that so far the rate of anaphylaxis works out to 11.1 cases out of 1 million for the COVID-19 vaccines, compared to 1.3 cases per 1 million for the flu vaccine.

Some common signs of an allergic reaction br

Shortness of breath Wheezing Dizziness Hives Swelling of the face Source: CDC But, Messonnier added, “that’s still exceedingly rare.” She emphasized that the COVID-19 vaccine is very safe and, considering that the U.S. has been seeing more than 2,000 COVID-19-related deaths per day, the dangers of the illness far outweigh the dangers of an allergic reaction. Plus, “we know how to treat anaphylaxis.” There were no reports of anaphylaxis during trials for either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines.
The CDC recommends that people with a history of anaphylaxis stay on site for observation for 30 minutes after vaccination. Those with no history of anaphylaxis should stay for 15 minutes. It advises people who have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in a COVID-19 vaccine to abstain from getting the vaccination. (Both
The reported cases of anaphylaxis are just a fraction of the 4.8 million people who have received the first dose of the vaccine with no serious problems, and experts are hoping that they don't dissuade others with no history of vaccine-related anaphylaxis from getting the vaccine as soon as it's available to them. According to CDC guidance, people with a history of severe allergic reactions not related to vaccines (allergies to food or pets, for instance) may still be vaccinated. The same goes for people with a history of allergies to oral medications, those with a family history of severe allergic reactions and those who might have a milder allergy to vaccines (no anaphylaxis), the CDC says. Just be prepared to be monitored on site for about 30 minutes after the shot.
If you have a history of severe allergic reactions to other vaccines, ask your doctor if you should get a COVID-19 vaccine. If you do get a COVID-19 vaccine and experience an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention. And if you have a severe allergic reaction after getting the first shot, you should not get the second shot, health officials say.

Adverse events vs side effects

An adverse event such as an allergic reaction to a vaccine is a health problem following a vaccination that might or might not be caused by the vaccine, according to the CDC. Side effects, on the other hand, are health problems shown in studies to be caused directly by the vaccine. AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. among participants in both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna phase 3 clinical trials were: Injection site pain and/or redness or swellingFatigueHeadacheMuscle painChillsJoint painFeverNausea Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > The FDA asks consumers to report vaccine side effects to the FDA/CDC Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 800-822-7967 or online at . And the CDC has a tool called “” that allows you to relay any side effects to the CDC on your smartphone and receive reminders for when you should get your second vaccination. (When you get your first vaccination, your provider can give you information on V-safe, along with your vaccination record card.) Source: FDA More on health AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS