A health worker in New York City had a serious side effect on a coronavirus vaccine, officials said Wednesday.
New York City Health Commissioner David Chokshi said during one news conference that the unidentified worker experienced a “significant allergic reaction” to the vaccine. He added that the worker has been treated for the reaction and is in steady state and recovering.
The incident was the first side effect reported in the city.
Chokshi said the department has been monitoring side effects from coronavirus vaccines in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but noted that they are uncommon. He advised those who have had allergic reactions to previous vaccines or injectable drugs to see their doctor before getting vaccinated.
“For the vast majority of people with allergies, that situation doesn’t apply,” he said. “The COVID-19 vaccine will be safe and effective for those people and everyone else.”
The response comes less than a week after the Food and Drug Administration said it was investigating multiple reports of adverse reactions to the coronavirus vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech in Alaska and other states.
Peter Marks, who heads the agency’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said Friday it was not clear what triggered the responses. However, he indicated that a chemical called polyethylene glycol, which is present in the vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech as well as Moderna, “could be the culprit.”
In guidelines issued on Saturdaythe CDC advises those who experience a severe reaction after the first dose not to have the second injection.
The UK health regulator warned earlier this month that those who have had a “significant” history of allergic reactions should not receive the Pfizers vaccine after two people report side effects.