Experience of the first 1127 COVID-19 Vaccine Allergy Safety patients in Hong Kong - Clinical outcomes, barriers to vaccination, and urgency for reform.
World Allergy Organ J
; 15(1): 100622, 2022 Jan.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1586263
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Hong Kong has had a low incidence of COVID-19 vaccine related anaphylaxis, partly due to its Vaccine Allergy Safety (VAS) guidelines for screening those at higher risk of COVID-19 vaccine-associated allergic reactions. We characterize the initial experience of the VAS clinics, as well as the impact of unnecessary referrals to the vaccination program.METHODS:
All patients attending the VAS Clinics of the public and private health services between February and June 2021 were reviewed.RESULTS:
Out of 1127 patients assessed at VAS clinics, 1102 (97.8%) patients were recommended for vaccination. Out of those contacted, more than 80% (450/558) received vaccination successfully; the remaining had not yet booked their vaccinations. The majority (87.5%) of patients not recommended was due to potential excipient allergies. Males were significantly more likely to be recommended (OR = 5.822, 95% CI = 1.361-24.903, p = 0.007), but no other features were associated with recommendation for vaccination. Almost half (45.1%) of public service referrals were rejected due to insufficient information or incorrect indications for referral. The majority of cases (56.2%) of patients referred for suspected "anaphylaxis" did not fulfil diagnostic criteria.DISCUSSION:
COVID-19 vaccination is very safe and 98% of high-risk patients were recommended for vaccination. Barriers to VAS include a high proportion of inappropriate referrals, inaccurate diagnoses of anaphylaxis and inability to diagnose excipient allergies. Our data validates that a prior history of COVID-vaccine unrelated anaphylaxis should be removed as a precaution for vaccination. Closer collaborations between primary care and allergy specialists and changes in pharmaceutical legislation should be made a priority to promote vaccination uptake.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Vaccines
Language:
English
Journal:
World Allergy Organ J
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.waojou.2021.100622
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