"Recent media reports of reactions to the new Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, first out of the U.K. and now one report in the United States are stirring safety concerns for people with a history of serious allergies.

It’s important to remember that we still don’t have the full details regarding the specifics of any of these reported reactions. Allergists, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are all keeping an eye on these reported adverse events.

We’re in the early stages of COVID-19 vaccine rollout. It is common to see adverse vaccine reactions once wider distribution to the general public begins, even if none of these reactions were observed in clinical trials. Additional vaccines are in the pipeline so there will likely be more options if it is determined that one vaccine works better in certain populations than others. It’s important to let the science do its work, not the headlines. Anyone with concerns about allergy risk should consult with their doctor."

Mitchell H. Grayson, MD, is Chair of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s Medical Scientific Council. He is also Director of the Division of Allergy and Immunology and Professor of Pediatrics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University.

For continued information and updated AAFA resources on COVID-19 vaccines: The COVID-19 Vaccine: What We Know So Far