The UK regulator has warned people with ‘significant allergic reactions’ not to receive the Pfizer – BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine after two healthcare workers had side effects on the first day of introduction.
The Agency for the Regulation of Medicinal and Health Products (MHRA) said the advice applied to “any person with a history of a significant allergic reaction to a vaccine, medicine or food”.
Two members of the National Health Service have recovered well, NHS medical director Stephen Powis said on Wednesday.
The UK became the first country to embark on a mass immunization program on Tuesday as people over the age of 80 and healthcare workers in the country got tired up and down. The drug regulator has granted an emergency license for a vaccine developed by the US pharmaceutical company Pfizer PFE,
and its German partner, BioNTech BNTX,
on December 2.
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Powis said, “As is customary with new vaccines, the MHRA also advised, as a precaution, that people with a significant allergic reaction should not receive this vaccine after two people with a significant allergic reaction reacted adversely. Both are healing well.
Dr. June Raine, chief executive of the MHRA, told the parliamentary committee on Wednesday about two cases of allergic reactions. “We know from extensive clinical trials that this was not typical, but if we need to reinforce our advice, once we have gained this experience in vulnerable populations, in priority groups, we will get this advice immediately.”
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The United Kingdom has provided 800,000 doses of Pfizer – BioNTech vaccine, which will be given in the coming weeks. He ordered a total of 40 million – enough for 20 million people – as two shots are needed, at least 21 days apart.
