Only 10 out of 4 million Americans who Moderna’s COVID-19 suffered life-threatening anaphylactic allergic reactions to the shot, CDC reveals
- CDC investigated 1,266 reports of ‘adverse events’ after Moderna vaccinations
- 47 were ruled allergic reactions and just 10 were deemed anaphylaxis
- All 10 people recovered and only one had no history of allergies
- Health officials warn anyone who has an anaphylactic reaction should not get a second dose of either Moderna’s or Pfizer’s shots
- Everyone should be monitored for allergic reactions for at least 15 minutes
Only 10 people out of four million vaccinated with Moderna’s COVID-19 shot developed severe anaphylactic allergic reactions, new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data released Friday reveals.
By comparison, CDC data published earlier this week showed at least 20 people had the same type of reaction to the Pfizer vaccine.
Ten of the people who suffered these severe reactions to the Moderna shot had histories of allergies.
Just one person who went into anaphylactic shock – a life-threatening response in which a person’s airways can become too narrow for them to breathe – had no history of allergies.
The CDC reiterated warnings that no one that has an allergic to either Pfizer or Moderna’s vaccine should have a second dose of either, since both are MRNA vaccines and could trigger the same reaction.
Out of four million people who got Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine, just 10 went into anaphylactic shock and all recovered, new CDC report reveals (file)
Just one of the 10 people who went into anaphylactic shock had no history of allergies (lighter gray)
Health officials also urged that vaccination sites should implement observation periods to monitor recipients for anaphylactic shock.
Most people develop anaphylaxis in response to vaccination – or any other allergy trigger – within 10 minutes of injection.
The CDC identified 1,266 people who had had ‘adverse events’ after getting the Moderna vaccine, out of the first 4.04 million injections.
Of those, 108 showed signs they might be allergic reactions.
Most were deemed either less severe allergic reactions or non-allergic reactions – specifically, 47 people’s responses were categorized as each.
Ages of the people who went into anaphylactic shock were between 31 and 63.
The 10 reactions ruled to be anaphylaxis all occurred within an hour of injection.
One 44-year-old person’s reaction came 45 minutes of their shot and three occurred more than 10 minutes after vaccination.
The other six anaphylactic shock cases developed the dangerous reaction within 10 minutes or less.
Time is of the essence in anaphylactic reactions.
Everyone who developed anaphylaxis recovered after getting an epinephrine shot and were between ages 31 and 63
They typically occur within 10 minutes of contact with a trigger.
Anaphylaxis causes blood pressure to drop and the airway to constrict.
- Warning signs include:
- Skin reactions, including hives and itching and flushed or pale skin.
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Constriction of your airways and a swollen tongue or throat, which can cause wheezing and trouble breathing.
- A weak and rapid pulse.
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
- Dizziness or fainting
If untreated, the reaction can be deadly.
All 10 of the people who went into anaphylaxis received epinephrine shots, which stops the life-threatening reaction.
CDC already advises that everyone should be monitored for at least 15 minutes after getting a COVID-19 vaccine, and those with a history of allergies should be watched for 30 minutes.
Health officials reiterated their warnings in the Friday report: ‘Persons with an immediate allergic reaction to the first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should not receive additional doses of either of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
‘In addition to screening for contraindications and precautions before administering COVID-19 vaccines, vaccine locations should have the necessary supplies and trained staff members available to manage anaphylaxis, implement post-vaccination observation periods, immediately treat persons experiencing anaphylaxis signs and symptoms with intramuscular injection of epinephrine, and transport patients to facilities where they can receive advanced medical care.’
