By Monalisa Agbata
The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has advised people with a notable history of allergies not to receive the Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. This warning comes after 2 of the earliest vaccine recipients experienced some unpleasant reactions from the shots on the first day of the vaccination programme.
According to the Medical Director, National Health Service, Stephen Powis, this precaution became necessary after 2 NHS workers, who were part of the first batch of the vaccine recipients reported anaphylactoid reactions linked to receiving vaccine shots.
Part of his statement read “As is common with new vaccines, the MHRA (regulator) has advised on a precautionary basis that people with a significant history of allergic reactions should not receive this vaccination after two people with a history of significant allergic reactions responded adversely yesterday. Both are recovering well.”
“Last evening, we were looking at two case reports of allergic reactions. We know from the very extensive clinical trials that this wasn’t a feature.”
In line with the incident, June Raine, the Chief Executive of the MHRA, stated that her team are closely observing the 2 cases of allergic reactions on Tuesday evening and both of the NHS staff members are recovering well.
The UK began mass vaccination of its resident on Tuesday, November 8, 2020, becoming the first country in Europe to roll out such programme after due approval of the vaccine by health regulatory bodies.
The vaccination programme is structured to prioritize the elderly and frontline workers first, then the entire population.
The MHRA has assured that it would commence investigation on the drug reactions as a matter of urgency.
In response, Pfizer stated that people with a history of severe allergic reactions to vaccines were excluded from their final stage trials as is reflected in the MHRA’s emergency approval protocol. Pfizer and BioNTech also further declared their support towards the MHRA’s investigation.
Recall that the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) was the first globally to adopt the Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine after its testing and certification as 95% effective in protecting people from COVID-19. Other health regulatory health bodies like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) are still in the process of data assessment and verification.
It is projected that over 800, 000 doses Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine will be dispensed in the coming weeks, and up to four million more are expected by the end of December 2020.