People with allergic reaction to 1st COVID vaccine can ‘safely receive future doses’: NACI
Global News
People who suffered an allergic reaction to the first COVID-19 vaccine dose can safely get a second after consulting with an allergist, according to NACI.
People who have had an allergic reaction immediately following their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine can safely get a second dose, according to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).
Someone who experiences a “severe, immediate allergic reaction” after the first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine can safely receive future doses after consulting with an allergist or other physician, NACI said Friday. Such people should also be observed for 30 minutes after their second dose, rather than the usual 15 minutes.
“This means these individuals can receive the additional doses they need to complete their primary COVID-19 vaccine series and be better protected against COVID-19 as well,” Dr. Theresa Tam, chief public health officer of Canada, said Friday.
“Taking just a bit more care, this population can be safely vaccinated,” she said. “We hope this is good news for people who are worried about their allergic reactions.”
NACI said its evidence review showed that most people did not experience an anaphylactic reaction with the second dose, even if they had one with their first shot.
“Recent studies have shown that most people involved in those studies who experienced anaphylaxis after a first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine have been able to safely receive future doses of the same or another mRNA COVID-19 vaccine,” NACI wrote in its update on vaccine guidance. “In studies, the second dose was well tolerated with no or mild reactions.”
Tam noted however that a severe allergic reaction could still be a valid reason for a medical exemption from vaccination requirements, as each case must be assessed on a patient-by-patient basis with an allergist.
NACI’s update also included new recommendations on the spacing between doses of mRNA vaccine, saying that having eight weeks between doses was optimal.
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