ABSTRACT
Vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an effective strategy to prevent serious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is important for oncology patients. mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines are contraindicated in those with a history of severe or immediate allergy to any vaccine component, including polyethylene glycol (PEG)2000. Patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma receive asparaginase conjugated to PEG5000 (PEG-ASNase) and those with PEG-ASNase-associated hypersensitivity may be unnecessarily excluded from receiving mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. We, therefore, surveyed oncologists on COVID-19 vaccine counseling practice and vaccination outcomes in COVID-19 vaccination-eligible patients and show safe receipt of mRNA vaccines despite PEG-ASNase hypersensitivity.
Subject(s)
Asparaginase , COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19 , Drug Hypersensitivity , Polyethylene Glycols , Asparaginase/adverse effects , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage , COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects , Counseling , Drug Hypersensitivity/etiology , Humans , Oncologists , Polyethylene Glycols/adverse effects , RNA, Messenger , SARS-CoV-2 , Vaccination/adverse effectsSubject(s)
COVID-19 , Hypersensitivity , Asparaginase , COVID-19 Vaccines , Humans , Hypersensitivity/epidemiology , Polyethylene Glycols , SARS-CoV-2Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Hypersensitivity, Immediate , Asparaginase , COVID-19 Vaccines , Humans , Polyethylene Glycols , RNA, Messenger , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Vaccinationis a critical tool in the prevention of COVID-19 infection for individuals and for communities. The mRNA vaccines contain polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a stabilizer. Currently, in North America, only the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) mRNA vaccine is approved for individuals aged 12-17. Most patients treated with contemporary regimens for acute lymphoblastic leukemia receive PEG-asparaginase (PEG-ASNase) and 10%-30% will develop allergic reactions. Optimizing access and safety for vaccine administration for these patients is critical. This report describes a process developed to support COVID vaccination in a cohort of adolescents and young adults with a history of PEG-ASNase allergy.