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[Polyethylengylcole - Friend or Foe?]
Christiane Bayerl1, Matthias Herbst2
1Klinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Hauttumorzentrum Wiesbaden, Helios Dr. Horst Schmidt Kliniken Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden, Deutschland.
Laryngo- Rhino- Otologie
|September 29, 2022
Summary
Anaphylactic reactions to the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine are rare, with polyethylene glycol (PEG) suspected as a potential cause. Widespread PEG use means allergic patients can still be vaccinated, as reactions remain uncommon.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Anaphylaxis post-vaccination is infrequent.
- Reports of anaphylaxis linked to the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine have emerged.
- Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a suspected causative agent due to its presence in vaccine manufacturing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reported anaphylactic reactions to the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.
- To explore the role of polyethylene glycol (PEG) in these rare adverse events.
- To inform clinical practice regarding vaccination of allergic patients.
Main Methods:
- Review of reported cases of anaphylaxis following Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccination.
- Analysis of the composition of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, focusing on PEG.
- Literature review on the prevalence and function of PEG in various products.
Main Results:
- A small number of anaphylactic reactions were reported following Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccination.
- Polyethylene glycol (PEG), used in vaccine manufacturing to prevent degradation, was identified as a potential allergen.
- Despite widespread exposure to PEG in numerous products, severe allergic reactions to vaccines containing it are rare.
Conclusions:
- Anaphylactic reactions to the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine are rare events.
- Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a likely, though uncommon, allergen in these reactions.
- The rarity of reactions suggests that patients with allergies, including those with known anaphylaxis, should not be excluded from vaccination without specific contraindications.
