Pfizer vaccine update: People with serious allergies told to avoid the shot

Summary

• UK began its mass inoculation drive this Tuesday
• It was the first nation to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine last week, which displayed an efficacy rate of 95 per cent

Anyone with a known history of anaphylaxis to a vaccine, food, or medicine should avoid taking the Pfizer vaccine, cautioned the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Britain began its mass vaccination drive on Tuesday, and since then two cases of anaphylaxis and one of a possible allergy were reported on the very first day itself, informed the medical regulator. The inoculation drive has started with vaccinating the frontline workers and elderly first.

Two NHS workers who received the shots along with thousands of others on Tuesday reported an anaphylactoid reaction. These two people had a history of significant allergic reactions. Later Stephen Powis, medical director, National Health Service informed that both were recovering well.

Along with issuing the warning, June Raine, Chief Executive, MHRA clarified that the Pfizer vaccine had met robust standards for quality, safety, and effectiveness and most people will not get any allergy after taking the shot.

Anaphylaxis is a severe and sometimes life-threatening allergic reaction to a medication, food, or a toxin. It is an overreaction of the human body’s immune system, according to the nation’s National Health Service.

Initially, the MHRA had advised that anyone with a history of allergic reactions should avoid taking the dose. Later, the fuller guidance informed that the main risk came from anaphylaxis, after consulting medical experts.

However, the MHRA was seeking further information and investigating the matter on a priority basis. Both BioNTech and Pfizer said that they supported the investigation of the regulator.

Outside home, the Canadian health ministry said that it would have a look at the reported adverse reactions in the UK. However, it added that such events were expected and would not change the benefit of the shot. The nation had approved the Pfizer vaccine on Wednesday. It would be delivering the initial shots from next week with every Canadian being vaccinated by the end of September next year, as per the government’s plan.

(Image Source: ©Kalkine Group 2020)

Trial volunteers in the US develop Bell’s palsy

As UK began administering the vaccine, four people who took the Pfizer vaccine trial shot in the US have developed Bell's palsy, according to a report by the medical regulator of the US. Bell’s palsy is a condition that leads to a temporary paralysis of the face muscles. It can occur if a nerve controlling the muscles gets swollen, inflamed, or compressed.

While the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informed that it wasn’t clear that the vaccine caused the palsy but cautioned the medical professionals to remain watchful for any alarming side effects.

Albert Bourla, chief executive, Pfizer said that the vaccine has been tested with higher standards than usual due to the strict scrutiny it has undergone till now. He insisted that there would always be people who would be skeptical about a vaccine, but they were wrong.

The USFDA documents had confirmed on Tuesday that the vaccine was safe and protective against the Covid-19 disease. The FDA analysis was posted online.

Also Read: It is V-day in Britain: Pfizer-BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine to start rolling out