Regulator Warns People With History Of 'Significant' Allergic Reactions Shouldn't Have Pfizer/BioNTech Vaccine

The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has warned that people with a history of 'significant' allergic reactions to medicine should not receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine that rolled out across the UK yesterday (8 December).

This warning comes after two members of NHS staff suffered an allergic reaction after the vaccine was administered yesterday.

Both had a history of serious allergic reactions and are now recovering well, the NHS confirmed.

Professor Stephen Powis, the national medical director of NHS 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."

An MHRA spokesperson told LADbible: "We are fully investigating the two reports that have been reported to us as a matter of priority. Once all the information has been reviewed we will communicate updated advice.

"In line with existing advice we advise anyone with a history of a significant allergic reaction due to receive the Pfizer Covid vaccine to speak to your healthcare professional who is administering the vaccine."

Dr June Raine, chief executive of the MHRA, said: "Last evening we were looking at two cases of allergic reactions - we know from the very extensive clinical trials this wasn't a feature, but if we need to strengthen our advice now that we've had this experience in the vulnerable populations - the groups that have been selected as a priority - we get that advice to the field immediately."

Like every vaccine, this coronavirus vaccine can cause some side-effects. Common side-effects include headache, chills, muscle pain, and pain from the injection.

It has been reported that these could affect as many as one out of every 10 people.

The government's own advice states: "Most side effects are mild or moderate and go away within a few days of appearing. If side effects such as pain and/or fever are troublesome, they can be treated by medicines for pain and fever such as paracetamol."

The largest mass vaccination programme in the history of the NHS got underway yesterday as the vaccine was rolled out to 50 hospitals around the country.

Margaret Keenan, aged 90, was the first person to receive the jab at a hospital in Coventry early yesterday morning.

Speaking after receiving the vaccine, Keenan said: "I feel so privileged to be the first person vaccinated against Covid-19, it's the best early birthday present I could wish for because it means I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the New Year after being on my own for most of the year.

"I can't thank May [the nurse who administered the first does] and the NHS staff enough who have looked after me tremendously, and my advice to anyone offered the vaccine is to take it - if I can have it at 90 then you can have it too."