Allergic Reactions to COVID Vaccines Rare and Do Not Preclude Immunization
MEDIA ADVISORY:
November 8, 2021
While individuals with a history of severe allergy are at higher risk for a reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine, those reactions are rare and should not preclude someone from getting vaccinated, recent studies show.
“The rate of anaphylaxis after the vaccine remains low and is readily treatable. The reactions that do occur, are mild, uncommon and do not interfere with receiving the vaccine,” said Paul Williams, MD, FAAAAI, Emeritus Director with the Northwest Asthma and Allergy Center and Chair of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) COVID-19 Response Task Force. “People with a confirmed history of an allergy to a component of one vaccine can receive another vaccine that does not contain that component.”
Allergists are specifically trained to help people answer questions about vaccine safety and suggest approaches to vaccination that would be the safest for patients.
To speak with Dr. Williams or another allergy expert, please contact: media@aaaai.org.
The AAAAI also has a wealth of resources available on its COVID-19 Resources page.
Recent research on allergy and the COVID-19 vaccines: