“Allergy is not a contraindication for vaccination!“ alerts Professor Frédéric de Blay, President of the French Federation of Allergology. In response to the fears of many people suffering from allergies in France, the Federation wishes to reassure, and especially to avoid seeing 30% of the population deprive themselves of the vaccine against Covid-19, for lack of information.
Anaphylactic reactions and various allergies are to be distinguished
While nearly 500,000 people have already been vaccinated, France has some rare cases of allergic reactions, especially in Great Britain. Should we be afraid of the vaccine if we are allergic? No. That said, the High Authority for Health (HAS) recently published a notice mentioning a contraindication for the people “with a history of severe manifestations of anaphylactic-type allergy“But not all people with allergies are prone to this type of reaction.
There is indeed a contraindication of this nature to the vaccine, but it is very precise: have already had a reaction to polyethylene glycol found in Pfizer, BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, or polysorbate, spotted in the Astra-Zeneca vaccine.
But of the 30% of French people with allergies, many can be vaccinated. To help you whether you are eligible for the vaccine, the Federation has listed the types of allergies. If in doubt, consult your allergist doctor.
How do I know if I can get the vaccine if I am allergic?
- The vaccine is safe if you have allergies to breathing, food, or oral medication. And this, regardless of the severity of the allergy.
- If you have ever had an allergy to a vaccine, injectable treatment or unidentified drug, vaccination is not contraindicated, but a consultation with an allergist is necessary beforehand.
- However, do not get vaccinated if : you have had an allergic reaction to the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, or if you are allergic to any of the ingredients, such as polysorbate or polyethylene glycol.
Sources: Site of the French Allergology Federation, Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS).
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