The first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine were given to Brits on Tuesday, Dec 8, but one day after V day, UK health regulators have issued a warning to people with a history of “significant” allergic reactions not to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.
This warning comes after two NHS staff suffered allergic reactions to it.
According to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)– the independent watchdog responsible for approving vaccines for use in this country – two NHS staff who received the coronavirus jab on its first day of use suffered adverse effects.
Both are recovering, it is understood.
The NHS website states that such allergic reactions are incredibly rare and if they do occur they usually happen within minutes.
The hospital or GP staff administering the vaccine will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
The NHS confirms: “With prompt treatment, you or your child will make a good recovery.”
The NHS in England said all trusts involved with the vaccination programme have been informed of the reactions.
The MHRA has given precautionary advice to NHS trusts that anyone who has a history of “significant” allergic reactions to medicines, food or vaccines should not receive the vaccine.
Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director for the NHS in England 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 yesterday.
“Both are recovering well.