A New York City healthcare professional suffered a “significant allergic reaction” to a COVID-19 vaccine – the first “serious adverse event” for the vaccine in the Big Apple – and is in stable condition, officials said on Wednesday .
“With more than 30,000 COVID-19 vaccinations administered in New York City, we received a single report of a serious adverse event in a healthcare professional,” according to the city’s Department of Health.
“Vaccines have side effects and allergic reactions – although uncommon – are known to occur,” the department added in a statement.
“We also know that, based on clinical trials and reports of adverse effects in other jurisdictions, reactions like these are rare, but have been reported with the Pfizer vaccine.”
The unidentified healthcare professional is in a stable state after being treated for the reaction.
The Health Department said it is closely monitoring reports of the most serious side effects in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“This is the first serious adverse event we have encountered in New York City,” he said.
“We will continue to move forward with the distribution of the coronavirus vaccine to ensure that healthcare professionals and staff at nursing homes and residents are protected against COVID-19.”
Health officials did not disclose which vaccine the worker received.