People with allergies wondering about COVID-19 vaccines

Since the first COVID-19 vaccinations were done in Saskatchewan on Tuesday, more than 500 people in the province have been vaccinated.

With the official first phase of Saskatchewan’s vaccination rollout plan set to start sometime in the next week, the thought of herd immunity in the foreseeable future isn’t terribly far off.

But for people suffering from severe allergies, getting vaccinated is something that takes a greater deal of consideration.

Health Canada has said if people are allergic to any of the ingredients in the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, they shouldn’t be taking it.

As well, Health Canada is encouraging people who generally suffer from serious allergies or other health conditions to speak with their doctors before planning on getting vaccinated.

Gloria Koch is severely allergic to nearly a dozen different things. She says getting vaccinated for COVID is something she will have to heavily consider.

“My allergies were all right up until maybe the last eight years before it got bad enough that I had to see an allergy doctor,” Koch said. “I will need to speak to my doctor and see what he says. But until then, I don’t think I would get it until I know it would be entirely safe for me.”

Monique Walter has a similar stance. She has a string of different allergies to dairy, grains and different chemicals.

“What happens if I have a very bad reaction that is life-altering?” she said. “If I can’t take it, I know I will have to keep isolating.”

Health Canada has said there aren’t any major safety concerns about the vaccine that have been identified, adding that based on current information the vaccine’s benefits outweigh its risks.

“If any new safety issues are confirmed, Health Canada will take appropriate action, which could include communicating any new risks to Canadians and health-care providers or changing the recommended use of the product,” Health Canada said in a release.

Mackenzie Fust suffered an anaphylactic reaction to an ingredient in an H1N1 vaccination a few years ago.

“That vaccine had shark liver oil. I actually ended up in emergency,” she said. “That was my first and only reaction to a vaccine.”

Fust says her one bad experience has not deterred her from getting vaccinated once again.

“This one does not have anything that I’m allergic to so I am not concerned,” she said. “I’m not necessarily getting the vaccine for myself. I get it for my five-month-old baby who can’t get it or those going through cancer treatment or the 80-year-old lady that needs to go to the grocery store.

“To me, it’s a selfless act.”

Fust hopes people take time to understand what is in a vaccine, especially one that is as new as this.

“There’s a comprehensive list of ingredients. Your public health nurse is very well aware of what’s in that, especially one of these new, less-than-routine vaccines,” she said. “They’re very well aware, and they would let you review the comprehensive list.

“If I wasn’t comfortable with anything, then I would refuse. But to me, being able to go to work and feel safe or eventually travel greatly outweighs the two pokes of the vaccine.”