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Millions of Americans have already availed themselves to one of the newly approved COVID-19 vaccines. Multiples more are eager to get their turn. There are many, however, who say they wonโ€™t get the shot because the vaccines were โ€œrushed throughโ€ the approval process. While thatโ€™s not trueโ€”studies were prioritized due to the urgent nature of the pandemicโ€”too many people are afraid that theyโ€™re putting themselves at unreasonable risk for a bad reaction, with anaphylaxis being the main concern.  While itโ€™s true that anaphylaxis can occur, the perceived threat is greatly exaggerated, as spelled out in a newly published article from JAMA Network. Shortly after the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were rolled out, it looked like related cases of anaphylaxis were rareโ€”11.1 cases per million doses or the Pfizer vaccine, and 2.5 cases per million for Modernaโ€™s. Since then, however, further research has found that incidence is even lower for the Pfizer shot (4.7 cases/million), while data on the Moderna vaccine remain at 2.5 per million. That being the case, the authors of the JAMA Network article concluded that โ€œthe benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risk of anaphylaxis, which is treatable.โ€ Due to the fact that anaphylaxis can occur, and is life-threatening, they also advise that patients with a history of reaction to any vaccine be observed and given epinephrine if they do develop anaphylaxis.

Fear of Anaphylaxis May Be Scaring Patients Off the COVID-19 Vaccine. Should It?