Is your Covid vaccine site prepared for rare life-threatening reactions?

As the deployment of the Covid-19 vaccine spreads throughout the United States, moving from hospital distribution to pharmacies, pop-up sites, and drive-through clinics, health professionals can see these expanded venues rarely but life-threatening. It states that it is important to be ready to handle the sexual Allergic reaction..

“We want to be able to treat anaphylaxis,” said Dr. Mitchell Grayson, an allergy immunologist at the National Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. “I hope the ambulance is in a location that can be reached within 5 to 10 minutes.”

At least 29 people who received injections of two new Covid vaccines approved for use in the United States suffer from anaphylaxis, a serious and dangerous reaction that can constrict the airways and shock the body. .. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention..

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Such incidents were rare (about 5.5 cases for every 1 million doses of vaccine in the United States) and patients recovered. For most people, the risk of getting a coronavirus is much higher than the risk of a vaccine response, according to Grayson.

Still, the rate of anaphylaxis so far is about five times higher than the Covid vaccine than similar events. After influenza vaccination, And some of the struck people had no history Allergic reaction.. In this early stage of vaccination, all patients were treated in hospitals and health centers, and full-service emergency care was readily available.

Shots are managed by a variety of professionals in places such as drugstores, dental clinics, and temporary sites where the National Guard participates, as the state is considering expanding distribution. Health officials say that all sites involved in expanding the wider community need to be aware of the problem and have training and equipment to respond quickly in the event of a problem.

Dr. Nancy Mesonier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Vaccination and Respiratory Medicine, said: I said on the phone with the reporter. She said those healthcare professionals also need to be aware of warning signs that indicate the need for advanced care.

Anaphylaxis, which usually occurs within minutes, It can cause life-threatening problems such as skin reactions, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, low blood pressure and narrowing of the airways. The first treatment is an injection of epinephrine or adrenaline to reduce the body’s allergic reaction, but some patients may require hospitalization.

Scientists are still investigating what is causing the serious response to the Pfizer-BioNTech and Modern RNA vaccines.They are the criminals Polyethylene glycol, Ingredients of both vaccines associated with allergic reactions.

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Despite seeking education and support from providers, experts 50 million Americans with allergies Actively find well-prepared places such as food, insect toxins, medicines and other vaccines. Dr. Kimberly Blumenthal, Head of Allergy Quality and Safety at Massachusetts General Hospital, said he would contact the scene and ask questions pointed out about emergency precautions before scheduling vaccinations.

“Ask a question: Do they have an anaphylaxis kit? Can they take vital signs?” She said.

CDC website Emphasize that point, detail the list of devices and medications the site should have, and encourage all patients to be observed 15 minutes after vaccination, or 30 minutes if they are at high risk of reaction. Authorities said people who are experiencing severe reactions should not be vaccinated for a second time. “If an acute anaphylactic reaction occurs after administration of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, appropriate treatment for severe allergic reactions must be readily available,” the site said.

Given the scope of vaccination efforts, it is a difficult order. The federal government has sent vaccines to more than 40,000 pharmacy locations, including 19 chains including CVS, Walgreens, Costco and Rite Aid. At the same time, New York City has an increasing number of dozens of pop-up inoculation sites, with drive-through clinics in Ohio, Florida, and other states.

Drive-through sites in particular are worried about allergists like Blumenthol, who said it was important to quickly recognize the symptoms of anaphylaxis.

“If you’re in a car, are you going to open the window? Where are the medicines? Are you in the parking lot?” She said. “It just sounds more logistically more challenging.”

By Wednesday, more than 2,400 people had been vaccinated in Columbus. Drive-through clinic Installed at Ohio Expo Center. No allergic reactions have been reported, said Kelly Newman, a Columbus public health spokesman. But if they happen, health officials are ready, she said.

“We are affiliated with EMS and we are observing what they have been vaccinated for 15 minutes to make sure they are free of side effects,” Newman said in an email. “They have access to two EMS trucks, equipped with emergency equipment and epinephrine, if needed.”

Similarly, representatives of CVS Health and Walgreens said they have staff and equipment to handle “rare but serious” reactions.

Walgreen Co. Rebekah Pajak, a spokeswoman for, said, “We have introduced the necessary emergency management protocols for all vaccine providers, which include epinephrine administration, 911 calls, and CPR as needed after clinical evaluation. May include implementation of. ” Email.

With the right trained staff and the right equipment and facilities at the vaccination site, the majority of people should opt for injections, especially as pandemics continue to grow, said the former president of the American Academy. Dr. David Lang said. He is responsible for allergies, asthma and immunology and is chairman of the immunology department at the Cleveland Clinic.

“The overwhelming possibility is that there is no anaphylaxis, and the overwhelming benefits far outweigh the risks of harm,” Lang said.