CDC Updates COVID-19 Vaccine Guidelines After Health Workers Have Allergic Reactions

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

The announcement comes after some health workers had allergic reactions to the vaccine. Reactions are still rare, but experts said it is essential to treat any severe symptoms immediately.

CDC guidelines now say that anyone who has previously suffered an immediate allergic reaction of any severity to any ingredient in Pfizer or Moderna vaccines should not be vaccinated unless authorized by doctors.

One ingredient that is being carefully examined is called polyethylene glycol. It is a compound used to stabilize and transport bubbles for the messenger RNA of vaccines.

It has never been used in vaccine, but it is an ingredient in many medications. The CDC also said that anyone allergic to polysorbate should not receive the shots. It is an ingredient used to stabilize some medications, foods and cosmetics.

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

Experts said people with severe allergies to food or medicine can be vaccinated. But they should be observed 30 minutes later, instead of just 15. They should also shoot at a center that can treat an allergic reaction immediately.

The CDC said anyone with a severe allergic reaction to the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should not receive a second dose.

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