CDC revises COVID-19 vaccine guidelines after healthcare workers have allergic reactions

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated who should avoid getting a COVID-19 vaccine or be extra careful.

The announcement comes after some health workers had allergic reactions to the vaccine. The reactions remain rare, but experts believe it is critical that serious symptoms be treated immediately.

The CDC guidelines now state that anyone who has previously had an immediate allergic reaction to any ingredient of Pfizer or Moderna’s vaccines should not be vaccinated unless cleared by a doctor.

One ingredient that is carefully researched is called polyethylene glycol. It is a compound used to stabilize and transport the bubble for the messenger RNA in the vaccines.

It has never been used in a vaccine before, but it is an ingredient in many drugs. The CDC also said that anyone with a polysorbate allergy should not get the shots. It is an ingredient used to stabilize some drugs, foods and cosmetics.

Polysorbate is not an ingredient in the vaccines, but people who are sensitive to it may also be sensitive to polyethylene glycol.

Experts said people with severe food or drug allergies could be vaccinated. But they should be observed for 30 minutes afterwards, instead of just 15. They should also be given the chance in a facility that can treat an allergic reaction immediately.

The CDC said that anyone who has severe allergic reactions to the first dose of COVID-19 should not receive a second dose.

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