AAIA patients
Due to an increase in the number of calls we've had regarding the COVID-19 vaccines we wanted to send out the latest information we know about the vaccine and distribution. Governor Ricketts has stated people will be able to sign-up online or over the phone on a website similar to TestNebraska.com (the website has not launched yet). Once registered, you will be notified of when and where you'll be able to receive the vaccine. Pre-registration and sign-ups will likely be through links on your local health department websites. Some counties have already opened these so we encourage you to check your county's health department website. **We have not heard from the health department if our offices will be vaccination sites at this time. We will update our patients should this status change.
We are encouraging the COVID-19 vaccines for all eligible patients unless they have an allergy to one of the ingredients in the vaccine.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology website has stated the following recommendations:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has several recommendations regarding the administration and management of allergic reactions to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. These include:
Those with a history of severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to an injectable medication or other vaccine should use caution when receiving the vaccine and be observed during a 30-minute observation period.
Those with a history of severe allergic reaction to any component of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (including polyethylene glycol) should not be vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
In all cases, the vaccine should be administered in a healthcare setting where severe allergies (e.g., anaphylaxis) can be treated. Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis and should be readily available.
Patients with allergies to food, latex, insect stings or inhalant allergens are not thought to be at increased risk of an allergy to this vaccine.
If you are unsure about getting the COVID-19 vaccine and would like more information the Nebraska Health Department has some excellent resources as well as the CDC and American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. If you would like to discuss specifics on if you should receive the COVID-19 vaccine feel free to schedule an office visit or telehealth appointment with one of our providers.
http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Vaccine-Information.aspx https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/asthma-library/covid19-vaccine **If you are on allergy shots we recommend you do not get your allergy shot on the same day as the COVID-19 vaccine so you can monitor for side effects. You may come in for your allergy shots 24-48 hours after the vaccine or once side effects have resolved. We're looking forward to a healthier 2021!
Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Associates
