A health worker in New York City had a serious adverse reaction to a coronavirus vaccine, officials said on Wednesday.
New York City health commissioner David Chokshi said during a Press conference that the unidentified worker had a “significant allergic reaction” to the vaccine. He added that the worker was treated for the reaction and is in a stable and recovering condition.
The incident was the first reported adverse reaction in the city.
Chokshi said the department has been monitoring the side effects of coronavirus vaccines in collaboration 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 consult their doctors before being vaccinated.
“For the vast majority of people who have allergies, this situation does not apply,” he said. “The COVID-19 vaccine will be safe and effective for these people and everyone else.”
The reaction comes less than a week after the Food and Drug Administration said it was investigating multiple reports adverse reactions to the coronavirus vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech in Alaska and other states.
Peter Marks, who heads the agency’s Center for Biological Research and Evaluation, said on Friday that it was unclear what caused the reactions. However, he indicated that a chemical called polyethylene glycol, which is present in vaccines from Pfizer and BioNTech, as well as from Moderna, “may be to blame.”
In the guidelines issued Saturday, the CDC advises those who experience a severe reaction after the first dose not to take the second injection.
The UK health regulator has warned earlier this month that those who had “significant” histories of allergic reactions should not get the Pfizer vaccine after two people reported adverse reactions.