CDC updates COVID-19 vaccine guidelines after health professionals have had allergic reactions

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated who should avoid or take extra care of getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

The announcement comes after a few health workers had allergic reactions to the vaccine. Reactions remain rare, but experts said it’s critical for serious symptoms to be treated immediately.

The CDC guidelines now say that anyone who has previously had an immediate allergic reaction of any severity to an ingredient in the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines should not be vaccinated unless they have been approved by doctors.

One ingredient that is being carefully researched is polyethylene glycol. It is a compound used to stabilize and transport the bubble for the messenger RNA in the vaccines.

It has never been used in a vaccine before, but it is an ingredient in many medications. The CDC also said anyone with a polysorbate allergy shouldn’t get the photos. It is an ingredient used to stabilize certain medicines, foods and cosmetics.

Polysorbate is not an ingredient in the vaccines, but people who are sensitive to it may also be sensitive to polyethylene glycol.

Experts said people with severe allergies to food or drugs can be vaccinated. But they should be observed for 30 minutes after that, instead of just 15. They should also receive the injection in a facility that can treat an allergic reaction immediately.

The CDC said anyone who has a severe allergic reaction to the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should not receive a second dose.

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