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I have allergies. Should I still get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Most people with allergies do not need to worry, and should still get the COVID-19 vaccine.

There’s a small chance of a minor allergic reaction to the vaccine. A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is very rare. 

If you have a severe allergy to one of the COVID-19 vaccine ingredients, such as polyethylene glycol, consult a physician first. In some cases, patients can still receive the vaccine using special protocols under the supervision of a medical specialist. These particular allergies are very rare. See below for links to the full list of ingredients for each vaccine.

Talk to your doctor first if you’ve had severe allergic reactions to other injectable medications in the past, or if you have had an anaphylactic reaction in the past but do not know the cause. 

The COVID-19 vaccines do not include seafood, nuts or other foods that can cause severe allergies. 

Allergic reactions usually happen shortly after a person is immunized. This is why you are asked to stay at the clinic for at least 15 minutes.  The vaccination clinics will ask some people to stay for 30 minutes of monitoring following their shot to be cautious.  There are trained staff on hand in case someone has one of the rare allergic reactions

Signs of an allergic reaction include:

  •   itchy rash,
  •   swelling of the face,
  •   sudden low blood pressure,
  •   abdominal pain and vomiting, or
  •   sneezing, coughing and difficulty breathing.

Vaccine Ingredients: