For almost a year, we
were praying to get a vaccine for Coronavirus, and now that we have one, it’s
made things a bit more complicated!

 

Two healthcare workers
have apparently developed intense reactions just a few minutes after getting
the Pfizer’s Coronavirus vaccine last week. As a result, one of the two staff
members has been hospitalized until Thursday.

 

However, a decision has
been made that these cases will not hinder the process of vaccine rollouts. The
information has been shared publicly just for the sake of ethics and
transparency.

 

One of the workers who
developed further complications is a middle-aged woman with no allergies’ history. She happened to develop an anaphylactic reaction only within 10 minutes of receiving the Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau. She started
experiencing a strange rash all over her face as well as torso along with
shortness of breath and an increased heart rate. 

 

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According to Dr. Lindy
Jones, Director of hospital’s emergency department – the worker was given a shot
of epinephrine first, which is actually a standard treatment for severe
allergic reactions. Fortunately, her symptoms reduced but they re-emerged soon,
after which she was put on steroids and an epinephrine drip.

 

The minute doctors
stopped giving her the drip, the symptoms re-emerged. Due to this reason, the
woman was shifted to the ICU, where she was observed overnight. By Wednesday,
the drip weaned off. Although the woman was supposed to be discharged by
Wednesday evening, the hospital insisted her to stay another night for
observation.

 

The 2nd worker was
male and he received his dose on Wednesday after which his eyes developed
puffiness and he experienced scratchy throat and lightheadedness. The
standard protocol was followed and he was given a shot of epinephrine, Pepcid,
and Benadryl. The worker was normal after a few minutes and was released in
about an hour or so.

 

The hospital went ahead
with the initial plan and administered 144 total doses by Wednesday night. They
claim that the workers didn’t wish to force negative implications on others who
were lining up for the vaccine. In fact, the chief medical officer at the
hospital said that they don’t have plans to cancel their treatment schedule,
dosing, or regime.

In the clinical trial –
44,000 participants – the Pfizer was shown to have 95% effectiveness and
security. The cases observed at the hospital in Alaska are likely to have
intensified due to side effects. Experts have said that the developments may
urge them to make prompt phone calls to tighten the guidelines so that the side
effects can be reduced and monitored.

 

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The vaccine expert who
served as the member of the outside advisory panel for Food and Drug
Administration said that appropriate precautions are already in place. He
continued that the patients are supposed stay back for at least 15 minutes
after getting the shot.

 

The medical community
asserts that due to minor side effects, the entire process can’t be stopped.
But it is essential that they find the vaccine’s component that is creating this reaction.

 

Dr. Jay Butler, a leading infectious-disease expert with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, has
said that it’s better that doctors continue to monitor the patients for 15
minutes after the recipient of the shot. This technique of administration
worked in Alaska. Furthermore, there must be supply of epinephrine and oxygen to manage possible anaphylactic reactions.

 

By the end of the year,
it is being predicted that millions of Americans will be lined up to take the Pfizer
vaccine. Its unclear how many people have taken the shot so far but the number
is positive for sure.

 

Alex M. Azar II, the
health and human services secretary, has promised that his department will
release the data soon enough. However, we know for sure that it won’t be out for
several days – could also take a week.

 

The reaction that the
worker in Alaska experienced was the same anaphylactic reaction that workers in
Britain experienced. And just like her, they recovered. However, these cases will
be unraveled by Thursday after the FDA scientists sit down for a meeting with
an agency of outside experts. They will decide whether or not to approve the
Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine just in case of an emergency.

 

Bother Moderna and
Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are developed from similar type of technology and have
the same ingredients, so nobody is sure what is causing the allergic reaction
so far. It is being said that both vaccines are composed of genetic materials
called mRNA, that are encased in a bubble of oily molecules known as lipids.
However, the combination of the lipids is different.

 

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In both vaccines, the
bubbles are coated with a molecule known as polyethylene glycol that he
considered as the leading contender. Apparently, it could be the one triggering
the allergic reaction. Some experts believe that more investigation is required
on this.

 

After the workers in
Britain experienced side effects of COVID-19 vaccine, main authorities warned against the vaccines
to people who may have allergies. In addition, authorities made sure that
vaccines are not given to people who have experienced anaphylactic reactions
related to food, medicines, or vaccines in the past. It is rarely experienced,
but it is better to take precautions than be sorry later.

 

Pfizer officials have
claimed that two British people who experienced the side effects have a history
of severe allergies. One of them happens to be 49 year old and is allergic to
eggs, and the other is in her 40s and is allergic to several medicines. This is
actually interesting, because Pfizer doesn’t have eggs in its components.

 

 

 

British have also
confirmed that there is a third patient with a possible allergic reaction but
they’re unable to describe it completely as of yet.

With all said, it is
important that we tell you that anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition
that can leave you with impaired breathing along with
drops in blood pressure. It usually occurs minutes after exposure to allergies.

 

 

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