Management and outcome of suspected and confirmed COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)
vaccine hypersensitivity.
Abstract
Systemic allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare. In this study we
assessed the management and outcome suspected SARS-CoV-2 vaccine
hypersensitivity. We present data of 219 individuals, who experienced
symptoms suspicious for an allergic reaction after the first (n=214) or
the second vaccination (n=5). 195 reactions occurred after the first
application of mRNA-based vaccines (157 Comirnaty®, and 38 Spikevax®)
and eighteen reactions were reported after first application of a vector
vaccine (Vaxzevria®). Of these 162 experienced immediate symptoms. Skin
symptoms occurred in 91 cases. The most frequent cutaneous symptom was
angioedema (n=45), followed by generalized urticaria (n=36) and
generalized erythema/flush (n=20). 70 patients had cardiovascular
symptoms, 45 showed respiratory symptoms and gastrointestinal symptoms
were recorded in 14 patients. The allergological assessment of 334
individuals (219 with reactions after COVID vaccination and 115 with a
history of vaccine related reactions) showed in 17% a suspicion of
sensitization against the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and/or their ingredients
defined as one positive skin test and/or BAT. The majority of the
SPT/IDT with the vaccines were negative. Of the 214 patients with
suspected allergic symptoms after the first vaccination, 67/67 patients
tolerated the re-vaccination. In this study, 334 individuals of a cohort
resembling >2000 persons presenting for an allergy workup
regarding SARS-CoV-2 vaccination only 45 were diagnosed in concordance
with the anaphylaxis definition of the Brighton collaboration with
anaphylactic immediate hypersensitivity reaction after SARS-CoV-2
vaccination. Identifiable characteristics of these patients with
suspected, but also diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hypersensitivity were
female gender and the symptom angioedema. Overall, IgE-mediated
hypersensitivity towards SARS-CoV-2 vaccines is extremely low and not
increased in comparison to the reported hypersensitivity for other
vaccines.