US: Alaska woman has allergic reaction to COVID-19 vaccine

Health officials in Alaska reported Wednesday that a health care worker h a severe allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine within 10 minutes of receiving a shot.

U.S. health authorities warned doctors to watch for rare allergic reactions when y rolled out first vaccine, me by Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech. Britain reported a few similar cases a week earlier. That’s why vaccine recipients are supposed to be observed after getting shot, in case y need immediate treatment.

Juneau health worker was following those rules Tuesday when she began feeling flushed and short of breath, said Dr. Lindy Jones, emergency room medical director at Bartlett Regional Hospital.

She was treated with epinephrine and or medicines for what officials ultimately determined was anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction. She was kept overnight but has recovered, Jones said.

Unlike British cases, Alaska woman h history of allergic reactions. Jones said she remained “enthusiastic” about having taken first dose of vaccine. She is t expected to receive a second dose.

state’s chief medical officer, Dr. Anne Zink, said Alaska doesn't plan to change its vaccine rollout.

“This is all kind of part of what we’ve been looking for and expecting,” she said.