Management of patients at risk of anaphylaxis after COVID 19 vaccination

J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2021 May-Jun;35(3):843-846. doi: 10.23812/21-20-E.

Abstract

The success of a vaccination campaign depends on the possibility of guaranteeing not only a wide distribution of effective vaccines, but also on their safety and acceptance by the population. Vaccine safety questions should be answered by correct, unbiased and evidence-based reports, and by addressing all possible problems including allergic reactions. Despite the fact that many COVID-19 vaccines are free from the majority of potentially sensitizing components, an allergic reaction can occur even in the form of a severe, life-threatening anaphylaxis. The frequency of allergic reactions against COVID vaccine is greater than that observed for other vaccinations. National and international allergology societies have proposed specific guidelines for individuals at risk of anaphylaxis by vaccine. Vaccines, like all the pharmaceutical preparations, are submitted to great safety and efficacy valuations, however, even the greatest pre-licensure experimentations are insufficient to evaluate the vaccine's potential to provoke anaphylaxis. Therefore, post-market surveillance is essential to analyze, record and characterize all adverse events. To this purpose, specific algorithms should be used as a monitoring strategy of adverse events in patients undergoing vaccination against COVID 19.

Keywords: COVID-19; anaphylaxis; management of allergic reaction; vaccination.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems
  • Anaphylaxis* / etiology
  • Anaphylaxis* / prevention & control
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • COVID-19*
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Vaccination / adverse effects

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines