Allergic to Covid Vaccines? CDC Advices Caution Before Taking the Jab

There has been a lot of speculation about the risks and benefits of the three Covid19 Vaccines available in the United States.

Circulation of the Johnson & Johnson jab was paused after reports of severe blood clots developing in a few people who were injected with it. On Friday a CDC panel suggested that the J&J shots resume with a warning label.

People who have received the J&J COVID-19 Vaccine  who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath should seek medical care right away.

Here in New York, Gov. Cuomo announced that the sites that previously offered the J&J shot would now administer Pfizer instead. Given the major differences in the one-jab Johnson & Johnson and the mRNA technology of Moderna & Pfizer vaccines, it’s important to understand the ingredients of each and if you are allergic to any of it.

During a “Ask Me Anything” twitter session with Dr. Fauci, one person brought up the issue of severe allergic reactions related to the vaccines. This prompted a response from the White House Covid19 Task force and the CDC, effectively stating that people who are allergic to its ingredients should NOT take the vaccine.

For most people, benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the risks. However, those who have had a severe allergic reaction or an immediate allergic reaction to any ingredient in an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should not get vaccinated. -AF https://t.co/I6oQAb3hKh

— White House COVID-19 Response Team (@WHCOVIDResponse) April 22, 2021 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an immediate allergic reaction typically occurs within 4 hours of vaccination, and may include symptoms such as hives, swelling and respiratory distress.

The following information about allergies comes directly from the CDC Website:

If you are allergic to polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate

PEG and polysorbate are closely related to each other. PEG is an ingredient in the mRNA vaccines, and polysorbate is an ingredient in the J&J/Janssen vaccine.

If you are allergic to PEG, you should not get an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna & Pfizer) 

If you are allergic to polysorbate, you should not get the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. 

If you aren’t able to get one type of COVID-19 vaccine because you are allergic to an ingredient in that vaccine, ask your doctor if you should get a different type of COVID-19 vaccine.

Learn about the different types of COVID-19 vaccines.

Stay safe.