The Pfizer booster jab is safe for those with anaphylaxis

The BSACI, the Anaphylaxis Campaign and Allergy UK have all confirmed that the Pfizer and the Moderna booster vaccines is safe even if:

• you have any type of FOOD allergy (including anaphylaxis)
• you have had anaphylaxis to WASP or BEE stings
• you have an identified allergy to most medicines
• any current or recent medications that you have taken safely contain Polyethylene glycol (PEG/Macrogol)

The only people who need to seek further advice before they get the booster are those who have had an immediate anaphylaxis to MULTIPLE unrelated medicines that contain Polyethylene glycol (PEG/Macrogol).

(Polyethylene glycol is a common ingredient in medicines. Most allergic reactions caused by PEG have resulted from laxatives and some types of steroid injections. It is an extremely rare cause of anaphylactic reactions and ONLY individuals with a history of anaphylaxis immediately after taking medicines containing PEG.)

You can check ingredients of medicines at www.medicines.org.uk if you are not sure.

However the initial concerns about the Polyethylene glycol in the Pfizer vaccination, which turned out to be completely unfounded, spread widely and it has proved almost impossible to correct this message. As a result people are still being turned away from vaccination centres because they report a history of anaphylaxis to food, venom, or to an identified medicine. It seems that they are often wrongly informed that, although the Astra Zeneca is rarely used as a booster,  they need AstraZeneca instead of the Pfizer.

For further confirmation check , or refer doubters, to the Government’s Green Book vaccination guide – go to page 30 for details under ‘Contraindications’.

The message is – the Pfizer and Moderna boosters are safe even if you have anaphylaxis.