Allergic reactions are exaggerated sensitivities (hypersensitive reactions) that occur when your immune system responds abnormally to common substances such as pollen, dust and certain foods. These substances, called allergens, are harmless in a majority of people. In the US, where the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency use approvals to the Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer – BioNTech and Moderna, concerns have been raised over reports that some people have possible allergic reactions to Covid-19 vaccines. A team of experts has now examined the relevant information and offered reassurance that the vaccines can be given safely, even to people with food or medication allergies. The review is published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice.

For those who are managing allergies daily, it can be a little worrisome to hear that some people have experienced allergic reactions after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. You may be allergic to certain food items or have seasonal allergy. Some people have a severe allergy called anaphylaxis.

The review notes that allergic reactions to vaccines in general are rare, with a rate of about 1.3 per 1 million people. The vaccine makers have said that the vaccine recipient should tell the healthcare provider about all the medical conditions before getting the vaccine, “if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after any drug, food, any vaccine or any ingredients of vaccine”, says the Serum Institute of India.

“As allergists, we want to encourage vaccination by reassuring the public that both FDA-approved Covid-19 vaccines are safe. Our guidelines are built upon the recommendations of US regulatory agencies and provide clear steps to the medical community on how to safely administer both doses of the vaccine in individuals with allergic histories,” review author Aleena Banerji from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Harvard Medical School said in a statement released by MGH.

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