DECATUR, Ala — A Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine recipient at Decatur-Morgan Hospital experienced anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, several minutes after receiving the vaccine, the Alabama Department of Public Health said on December 23.
ADPH said the patient had a previous history of anaphylaxis to biologic agents and still wished to receive the vaccine after a risk assessment. The patient was immediately treated with anaphylaxis protocol and appears to be recovering at the hospital.
The adverse reaction has since been documented and reported to the manufacturer per the emergency use authorization, ADPH said.
As of December 23 at 7 a.m., 15,286 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the state with no other reports of allergic reactions. Nationwide, only six people have reportedly experienced anaphylaxis after receiving the vaccine, ADPH said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a plethora of information on how to protect yourself and other from the coronavirus.
The virus can easily spread from person to person, so the CDC recommends you stay at least 6-feet apart from people not in your household. The virus is spread through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breaths or talks, according to the CDC. Because of this, the CDC recommends you wear a cloth facemask when around others and in public.
Additionally, the CDC recommends that you frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Symptoms to look out for include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, a sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC.
Click here to find more COVID-19 information from the CDC.
If you suspect you have the coronavirus, you should seek out testing and self-quarantine.
Click here to find more COVID-19 information from the Alabama Department of Public Health.