Approximately 4,400 adverse events were reported subsequently when people took the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the US. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 21 cases among them were reported to be of anaphylaxis.

The US Food and Drug Administration had issued an Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on 11th December 2020. They had administered two doses separated by 21 days.

As per the CDC report, on 23rd December 2020, a total number of 1,893,360 first doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine were administered in the US. 4,393 adverse events reports are submitted to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System in the US. Out of them, 175 case reports are being identified for additional review as there were probable cases of severe allergic reaction, which included anaphylaxis. Almost twenty-one cases were reported to be anaphylaxis, out of them 17 persons were with a documented history of allergies or allergic reactions. Also, seven of them had a history of anaphylaxis, as per CDC.

CDC stated that anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction which occurs rarely after the vaccine shot, and has an onset typically within minutes to hours.

For administering COVID-19 vaccines, the locations should observe the CDC guidance for using the shots, which includes screening recipients for contraindications and precautions. Also, the necessary supplies should be available to manage anaphylaxis and implement the suggested post-vaccination observation periods. Further, immediately treat any suspected cases of anaphylaxis with an intramuscular injection of epinephrine.

Source: ET Healthworld