COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines Guide
I have allergies, should I get vaccinated?
Last Updated: January 21, 2021
May Proceed With Vaccination
You may proceed with vaccination if you have a history of allergies that are unrelated to components of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, injectable therapies, or polysorbate, such as:
Allergy to oral medications (including oral equivalent of an injectable medication)
History of food, pet, insect, venom, latex, etc. allergies
Family history of allergies
What You Should Do:
You should be observed following vaccination for 15 minutes*
*If you have had any history of anaphylaxis (due to any cause), you should be observed following vaccination for 30-minutes
Precaution To Vaccination
You may proceed with vaccination, with precaution (detailed below), if you have a history of an immediate allergic reaction to vaccines or injectable therapies (except those related to components of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines or polysorbate)
What You Should Do:
Get a risk assessment from your provider
Consider deferral of vaccination and/or referral to an allergist-immunologist
After vaccination, you should be observed for 30 minutes
Contraindication To Vaccination
You should NOT be vaccinated or must refer to a physician if you have a history of the following contraindications to receiving either of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines:
Severe allergic reaction (e.g. anaphylaxi) after previous dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or any of its components
Immediate allergic reaction of any severity to a previous dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or any of its components (including polyethylene glycol)
Immediate allergic reaction of any severity to polysorbate
What You Should Do:
Do NOT vaccinate
OR consider referral to allergist-immunologist