Second serious reaction reported to COVID-19 vaccine | New

FAIRBANKS, Alaska – A second healthcare worker had a severe reaction after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, officials said on Friday.

Both cases were in Alaska.

In the latter case, a worker, identified only as a female clinician, began to experience probable anaphylactic symptoms about 10 minutes after receiving the vaccine Thursday in Fairbanks.

Symptoms included swelling of the tongue, a hoarse voice, and difficulty breathing.

She received two doses of epinephrine in the emergency department at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and was discharged about six hours later.

“Allergic reactions, although rare, can occur with injections of drugs and vaccines,” Chief Medical Officer Dr. Angelique Ramirez said in a statement. “That’s why our staff are trained and prepared to respond to any symptoms of anaphylaxis. Our employee is fine and was able to return home yesterday.

The hospital’s parent company, Foundation Health Partners, said the woman wanted to preserve her privacy, but released a statement from her. In it, the unidentified woman said she would encourage everyone to get the shot. She said she saw firsthand the suffering and death of COVID-19 patients, and its side effects were pale in comparison to what COVID can do to people.

The first serious reaction in the county came on Tuesday at Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau. The healthcare worker was hospitalized after suffering from anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction.

The next day, another worker at the same hospital suffered what state health officials considered a minor reaction and the person did not require hospitalization.

The FDA is evaluating a coronavirus vaccine developed by Moderna and the National Institutes of Health. A decision could pave the way for its use as early as Monday. Additional doses of a second vaccine are urgently needed as deaths in the United States reach unprecedented highs and some hospitals run out of beds.

The Pentagon has authorized nearly 50 senior civilian and military leaders to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the coming weeks to prove the vaccines are safe and effective. Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and others received the vaccine.

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