Anaphylaxis and allergic reactions to COVID‐19 vaccines: A narrative review of characteristics and potential obstacles on achieving herd immunity

Abstract Background and Aims Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a highly contagious infection, and new variants of its causative virus continue to emerge all around the world. Meanwhile, mass vaccination represents a highly effective measure to reduce the disease burden. Not only do vaccines imm...

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Main Authors: Sara Mahdiabadi, Nima Rezaei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2022-09-01
Series:Health Science Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.787
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author Sara Mahdiabadi
Nima Rezaei
author_facet Sara Mahdiabadi
Nima Rezaei
author_sort Sara Mahdiabadi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background and Aims Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a highly contagious infection, and new variants of its causative virus continue to emerge all around the world. Meanwhile, mass vaccination represents a highly effective measure to reduce the disease burden. Not only do vaccines immunize individuals, but they also protect the entire population through achieving herd immunity. They are composed of various ingredients, some of which may induce hypersensitivity reactions, namely anaphylaxis and cutaneous allergic reactions. This review aims to provide an explicit overview of the pathophysiology, suspected responsible components, and management of COVID‐19 vaccine‐induced allergic reactions, and their effect on acquiring herd immunity. Methods To perform this narrative review, a comprehensive literature search based on our selected terms was conducted in online databases of PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar for finding the relevant studies published from 2019 to 2022. Results COVID‐19 vaccines introduce several advantages that outweigh their potential risks, such as allergic reactions. Allergic reactions are mainly attributed to polyethylene glycol and polysorbate excipients that can provoke IgE‐mediated reactions and hypersensitivity reactions. These reactions should be managed properly to avoid having serious sequelae. Conclusion It is of great importance to immediately recognize and manage vaccine hypersensitivity reactions, especially anaphylaxis, to avoid allergic patients being excluded from the vaccination program, and more importantly, to stop the spreading of unfounded vaccine hesitancy leading to delayed herd immunity.
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spelling doaj.art-30606dc8d15445ab922e6188de93db622023-07-26T04:11:54ZengWileyHealth Science Reports2398-88352022-09-0155n/an/a10.1002/hsr2.787Anaphylaxis and allergic reactions to COVID‐19 vaccines: A narrative review of characteristics and potential obstacles on achieving herd immunitySara Mahdiabadi0Nima Rezaei1School of Medicine Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran IranNetwork of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Children's Medical Center Tehran IranAbstract Background and Aims Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a highly contagious infection, and new variants of its causative virus continue to emerge all around the world. Meanwhile, mass vaccination represents a highly effective measure to reduce the disease burden. Not only do vaccines immunize individuals, but they also protect the entire population through achieving herd immunity. They are composed of various ingredients, some of which may induce hypersensitivity reactions, namely anaphylaxis and cutaneous allergic reactions. This review aims to provide an explicit overview of the pathophysiology, suspected responsible components, and management of COVID‐19 vaccine‐induced allergic reactions, and their effect on acquiring herd immunity. Methods To perform this narrative review, a comprehensive literature search based on our selected terms was conducted in online databases of PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar for finding the relevant studies published from 2019 to 2022. Results COVID‐19 vaccines introduce several advantages that outweigh their potential risks, such as allergic reactions. Allergic reactions are mainly attributed to polyethylene glycol and polysorbate excipients that can provoke IgE‐mediated reactions and hypersensitivity reactions. These reactions should be managed properly to avoid having serious sequelae. Conclusion It is of great importance to immediately recognize and manage vaccine hypersensitivity reactions, especially anaphylaxis, to avoid allergic patients being excluded from the vaccination program, and more importantly, to stop the spreading of unfounded vaccine hesitancy leading to delayed herd immunity.https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.787allergic reactionCOVID‐19 vaccineherd immunityhypersensitivityPEGskin
spellingShingle Sara Mahdiabadi
Nima Rezaei
Anaphylaxis and allergic reactions to COVID‐19 vaccines: A narrative review of characteristics and potential obstacles on achieving herd immunity
Health Science Reports
allergic reaction
COVID‐19 vaccine
herd immunity
hypersensitivity
PEG
skin
title Anaphylaxis and allergic reactions to COVID‐19 vaccines: A narrative review of characteristics and potential obstacles on achieving herd immunity
title_full Anaphylaxis and allergic reactions to COVID‐19 vaccines: A narrative review of characteristics and potential obstacles on achieving herd immunity
title_fullStr Anaphylaxis and allergic reactions to COVID‐19 vaccines: A narrative review of characteristics and potential obstacles on achieving herd immunity
title_full_unstemmed Anaphylaxis and allergic reactions to COVID‐19 vaccines: A narrative review of characteristics and potential obstacles on achieving herd immunity
title_short Anaphylaxis and allergic reactions to COVID‐19 vaccines: A narrative review of characteristics and potential obstacles on achieving herd immunity
title_sort anaphylaxis and allergic reactions to covid 19 vaccines a narrative review of characteristics and potential obstacles on achieving herd immunity
topic allergic reaction
COVID‐19 vaccine
herd immunity
hypersensitivity
PEG
skin
url https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.787
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