NBC News reported more allergic responses to COVID vaccines on June 6, 2021, although these remain rare. A total 21 had severe aphylaxis reactions often within 15 minutes of the jab. These are readily reversed with a shot of epinephrine in common use for insect bites, stings and food allergies. These rare allergic reactions to vaccines will continue, and hence we share critical information.
How Serious Are Those Rare Allergic Reactions to Vaccines?
The rate of occurrence is 11.1 per million doses administered, using the first 1.9 million vaccinations as base. However, the reaction is much lower with the influenza dose, at 1.3 per million subjects. There are approximately 209 million adults aged over 18 in United States. If they all had the vaccine we could therefore assume around 23,000 aphylaxis reactions to the COVID vaccines currently in use.
The symptoms of aphylaxis reactions are unpleasant. The immune system releases a flood of chemicals causing blood pressure to drop, and airways to narrow akin to asthma. The condition improves quickly with early treatment. All 21 patients affected by Pfizer-Biontech and Moderna vaccines in this way have recovered.
Viewing the Aphylaxis Reactions Through a Broader Lens
The U.S. COVID death rate per million was 1,083 while we wrote, to put things in perspective. That’s according to Statista which we consider a trustworthy source. Allowing these rare allergic reactions to vaccines to continue, therefore appears to be the responsible choice.
Dr. Nancy Messonnier is head of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. She told the media June 5, 2021 ‘Right now, the known and potential benefits of the current Covid-19 vaccines outweigh the known and potential risks of getting Covid-19’.
The total number of aphylaxis reactions, mainly women, since increased to 29 by January 7, 2021 according to NBC News. Most were responses to the Pfizer vaccine, but that could be because it rolled out a week earlier than the Moderna. Many, but not all, had a history of allergies. Seven had previously suffered anaphylactic reactions.
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Preview Image: Comparison: COVID Deaths
