BISMARCK – Two North Dakota suffered severe allergic reactions shortly after receiving the Modern COVID-19 vaccine, according to a press release issued by the North Dakota Department of Health on Wednesday, December 30.
Both allergic reactions occurred during an observation period of 15 minutes after administration of the vaccines. Health officials report that none of the residents needed hospitalization, although they were advised to give up a second dose of the vaccine.
None of the residents had a history of allergic reactions to vaccines and the incidents were not related in any way. State health officials have reported the episodes to the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which will conduct a follow-up investigation. Earlier this month, a CDC committee reported six similar incidents across the country.
State immunization coordinator Molly Howell emphasized that allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine are uncommon, and those who are eligible to receive the injection should seek it out, unless they have a known allergy to a component of the vaccine.
“These allergic reactions are taken very seriously. Although they are rare, North Dakota healthcare professionals are prepared to handle this type of event, ”said Howell. “Hospitalizations and deaths from COVID continue to be a much higher risk for Northern Dakotans, with about 1 in 600 Northern Dakotans dying with COVID-19 and 1 in 250 being hospitalized. The vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19. “
More than 13,000 North Dakota health workers and nursing homes received the vaccine without suffering an allergic reaction. Nationally, about 2.5 million people received the first doses of the vaccine.