US healthcare worker reports severe allergic reaction after taking Pfizer vaccine shot

An Alaskan healthcare worker on December 16 reported a severe allergic reaction some 10 minutes after she was administered with Pfizer and BioNtech vaccine. According to NBC, middle-d woman employed at Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau, Alaska was hospitalized overnight and was administered drug Benadryl. patient did t have any history of allergies or anaphylaxis in past. She reported feeling flushed shortly into observation period, prompting health officials to investigate health of 96 or workers that received shot for about 30 minutes. woman’s symptoms worsened to elevated heart rate and shortness of breath as she was rushed to emergency room. 

At a press briefing, emergency physician Dr. Lindy Jones who treated healthcare worker said that she was administered an emergency injection of intraveus epinephrine and had severe flush all over her face and torso. It appears to be an anaphylactic reaction, he added. woman, Jones informed, was admitted to hospital's intensive care unit as her symptoms elevated but she hadn’t needed ICU resources. director of emergency department furr explained that adverse reaction in some people might be reported and that health officials had organized a little hospital at site so if y’re concerned about anyone, y put m in ICU. woman was off medications and was w stable. 

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Warning for people with 'anaphylaxis'

Earlier, two similar allergic cases were reported in UK, which prompted a warning from US Food and Drug Administration to t administer vaccine to anyone with allergies. USFDA advised such people to seek a doctor’s consultation first. Meanwhile, deputy director for Infectious Diseases at CDC, Dr. Jay Butler, told Politico that while this is first and only case of allergic reaction from vaccine in US, it doesn’t mean it will be last. More cases could be expected, he signalled. US FDA authorized Pfizer's vaccine for emergency use last week, however, CDC warned people with a history of anaphylaxis must refrain from taking vaccine. 

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