Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 8, 2025
Measuring Local Anaphylaxis in Mice
Published on: October 14, 2014
[Anaphylaxis and COVID-19 vaccines]
M Castells1, P Demoly2,3,4, L K Tanno2,3,4
1Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, États-Unis.
Insights
Anaphylaxis after COVID-19 vaccination is rare, occurring at 2.5-11 cases per million. Early recognition and treatment with epinephrine are crucial for managing reactions and enabling safe re-vaccination for most individuals.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Public Health
Context:
- COVID-19 vaccines are critical global health tools.
- Anaphylactic reactions are a rare but reported adverse event following SARS-CoV-2 RNA vaccination.
- Vaccine safety surveillance programs are essential for monitoring severe adverse reactions.
Purpose:
- To assess the incidence and characteristics of anaphylaxis following COVID-19 vaccination.
- To provide guidance on the recognition, treatment, and management of anaphylaxis in vaccinated individuals.
- To reinforce confidence in the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.
Summary:
- Anaphylaxis risk post-COVID-19 vaccination is estimated at 2.5-11 per million, with polyethylene glycol implicated in rare instances.
- Immediate treatment with epinephrine is effective, and most patients, including those with a history of allergies, can be safely re-vaccinated with pre-medication.
- Recognizing at-risk populations, such as individuals with allergy histories or mast cell activation diseases, is vital for personalized care.
Impact:
- Ensuring continued public trust and uptake of COVID-19 vaccination programs.
- Guiding healthcare providers in the immediate management of anaphylactic reactions.
- Highlighting the critical role of allergists in managing rare vaccine complications and facilitating re-vaccination strategies.
Abstract:
Vaccines against COVID-19 are an essential global intervention to control the current pandemic situation. Anaphylactic reactions have rapidly been reported after SARS-CoV2 RNA vaccines. This risk is now measured at 2.5-11/1,000,000 in the context of vaccine safety surveillance programs and only one case was documented to be due to polyethylene glycol. Suggestions for its role are indirect. The COVID-19 vaccination is rolling out vastly and surveillance programs are key to monitor severe adverse reactions, such as anaphylaxis. It is important to restore confidence about vaccination with COVID-19 mRNA and other vaccines and current data confirm their safety with no greater mortality than previous vaccines. Anaphylaxis is a complication that should be recognized immediately, be treated with epinephrine and which is not limiting and allows re-vaccination of some patients with pre-medication. It is important to recognize populations at risk such as women, patients with a history of allergies and anaphylaxis and to recognize the rare patients who have mast cell activating diseases. Anaphylaxis due to vaccine is extremely rare and specific cases should receive individualized investigation and care, highlighting the key role of allergists in the vaccination programmes.
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