Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and penicillin allergy

Posted by Talal @tkanan, Mar 22, 2021

My wife is Penicillin allergic. Not sure how severe her allergy is. Now she wants to get the Pfizer vaccine. Is this ok? If yes, how long she should stay in the hospital to watch if there’s any reaction ?

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@tkanan

Thanks. My question was for my wife, she was scheduled to have it yesterday, but when the staff realized she is penicillin allergic they refused to give and asked for a penicillin allergy test, which is something not very safe by its nature up to my knowledge. Thanks again.

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Here in the US, the recommendation for anyone with a known allergy is to have the injection at a medical facility after consultation with their primary care provider, not a stand-alone vaccination clinic or event, so medical care is available in case of reaction.
Sue

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@tkanan

Thank you @lioness. May I know for how long you stayed in the clinic monitored after you got the first shot?

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@tkanan Actually I live on a senior building and cvs came here to administer both shots .I had to wait 15minutesvand was observed till time up zI never had any reactions at all .So sorry to hear about your experience. The only thing I had was a sore arm for a day

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I lied on my form to be able to get the vaccine at a Walmart pharmacy. I am allergic to penicillin and sulfa drugs! I called the Mayo hotline and got the ok from a nurse. I am fine although damage was done to my shoulder which I am hoping will go away on its own!

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@tkanan

Thanks. My question was for my wife, she was scheduled to have it yesterday, but when the staff realized she is penicillin allergic they refused to give and asked for a penicillin allergy test, which is something not very safe by its nature up to my knowledge. Thanks again.

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@tkanan- This is unfortunate that your wife was turned down. They should have coordinated this information and passed it on. I hope that she gets the information that she needs and then gets vaccinated.

Have you been vaccinated?

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@sueinmn

Here in the US, the recommendation for anyone with a known allergy is to have the injection at a medical facility after consultation with their primary care provider, not a stand-alone vaccination clinic or event, so medical care is available in case of reaction.
Sue

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Here at the Mayo Clinic in Florida, that is not the case at all. I am a stage IV cancer patient over 65 and yet here it is almost April and I have not been called to receive the vaccine. My oncologist thought back at the end of January I would be called quickly as they did for many of their patients and advised me not to go elsewhere. As time went on, it was advised that I get the vaccine anywhere I could. It was pretty scary that I had to lie on the form that asked if I had cancer, had radiation, had skin biopsy or allergic to drugs. I have not been in the inside of any type of building except Mayo in a year yet felt very exposed going there so often for treatments due to the fact that many of their healthcare have decided NOT to accept the vaccine.

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@seaspray

Here at the Mayo Clinic in Florida, that is not the case at all. I am a stage IV cancer patient over 65 and yet here it is almost April and I have not been called to receive the vaccine. My oncologist thought back at the end of January I would be called quickly as they did for many of their patients and advised me not to go elsewhere. As time went on, it was advised that I get the vaccine anywhere I could. It was pretty scary that I had to lie on the form that asked if I had cancer, had radiation, had skin biopsy or allergic to drugs. I have not been in the inside of any type of building except Mayo in a year yet felt very exposed going there so often for treatments due to the fact that many of their healthcare have decided NOT to accept the vaccine.

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@seaspray. My neighbor is 82, diabetes, thyroid problem and hypertension. Her vaccine appointment was canceled due to shortage. She was waiting for 2 months. When she went to her doctor for 6 months check up her doctor was surprised she is still waiting. He told her he will make sure she got an appointment before she left. Sure enough, he did just that and she just got her first shot. Maybe doctors can pull some strings? I'm just speculating.

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@mayofeb2020 On another note I just found out that on your cell phone there is a button you can click 5times that puts you in touch with 911 ,thinking of you on your walks My smartphone is right under my pin

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@mayofeb2020

@seaspray. My neighbor is 82, diabetes, thyroid problem and hypertension. Her vaccine appointment was canceled due to shortage. She was waiting for 2 months. When she went to her doctor for 6 months check up her doctor was surprised she is still waiting. He told her he will make sure she got an appointment before she left. Sure enough, he did just that and she just got her first shot. Maybe doctors can pull some strings? I'm just speculating.

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Wondering if your neighbor went to a Mayo doctor? I have been told Mayo has been using an Algorithm system based on categories like "transplant" or "autoimmune". I called my PC, and spoke personally to my Oncologist and Radiologist. They all said they had no say in who receives it. Perhaps it is another case of who you know. As a proactive person, I felt I was gambling waiting to get the vaccine.

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@seaspray

Wondering if your neighbor went to a Mayo doctor? I have been told Mayo has been using an Algorithm system based on categories like "transplant" or "autoimmune". I called my PC, and spoke personally to my Oncologist and Radiologist. They all said they had no say in who receives it. Perhaps it is another case of who you know. As a proactive person, I felt I was gambling waiting to get the vaccine.

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@seaspray. No, her doctor is not a Mayo doctor. He's her PCP. I think too, that it all depends on where you live. It varies from state to state, even county to county. In my state, they are using Blue Shield for distribution, and people are wondering if you get a priority if you are a Blue Shield patient. I just read that Texas is opening vaccination to all adults next week?

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@mayofeb2020

@seaspray. No, her doctor is not a Mayo doctor. He's her PCP. I think too, that it all depends on where you live. It varies from state to state, even county to county. In my state, they are using Blue Shield for distribution, and people are wondering if you get a priority if you are a Blue Shield patient. I just read that Texas is opening vaccination to all adults next week?

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Thanks for replying.....my PC is with Mayo so that was part of the problem! Here in my city it is 50 yrs and younger.Have not heard that about Texas yet but I did hear today that Georgia is doing anyone......hope they have a good turnout as there are many antivaxers around Northern Florida/Georgia area.🤔

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