ARIA-EAACI statement on severe allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines
-- an EAACI-ARIA Position Paper
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine BNT162b2 received approval
and within the first few days of public vaccination several severe
anaphylaxis cases occurred. An investigation is taking place to
understand the cases and their triggers. The vaccine will be
administered to a large number of individuals worldwide and concerns
raised for severe adverse events might occur. With the current
information, the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
(EAACI) states its position for the following preliminary
recommendations that are to be revised as soon as more data emerges. To
minimize the risk of severe allergic reactions in vaccinated
individuals, it is urgently required to understand the specific nature
of the reported severe allergic reactions, including the background
medical history of the individuals affected and the mechanisms involved.
To achieve this goal all clinical and laboratory information should be
collected and reported. Mild and moderate allergic patients should not
be excluded from the vaccine as the exclusion of all these patients from
vaccination may have a significant impact on reaching the goal of
population immunity. Health care practitioners vaccinating against
COVID-19 are required to be sufficiently prepared to recognise and treat
anaphylaxis properly with the ability to administer adrenaline. A
mandatory observation period after vaccine administration of at least 15
minutes for all individuals should be followed. The current guidelines,
which exclude patients with severe allergies from vaccination with
BNT162b2, should be re-evaluated after more information and experience
with the new vaccine develops.