![Dr. Brandi Jones receives a vaccine at MetroHealth, where she works. She and others who received vaccines at MetroHealth were monitored for allergic reactions and other side effects. [Lisa Ryan / ideastream]](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5d6b10c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1334x750+0+0/resize/840x472!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F12%2F22%2Fcleveland%20vaccine%20MetroHealth%20Dr%20Brandi%20Jones.PNG)
What are your questions about the coronavirus vaccine?
ideastream's health team is answering as many questions as possible, with help from local experts in a range of fields. You can send us your questions with our online form, through our social media group, or call us at 216-916-6476. We'll keep the answers coming on our website and on the air.
There have been some cases of nurses and others getting vaccinated with the COVID-19 shot and having allergic reactions.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says there is a chance of a severe allergic reaction to both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for people who are allergic to any ingredient in those vaccines.
They should not get the shot, said Mark Cameron, associate professor in Case Western Reserve University's School of Medicine.
However, if people had a reaction to a different vaccine, like the flu shot, that doesn’t necessarily mean they need to avoid the COVID shot, Cameron said.
“If people have had allergic reactions to vaccines in the past—other vaccines—they are still encouraged to take it with monitoring after receiving the vaccine," Cameron said.
Also, people who have a history of severe allergies to things like food, pets, and latex can get the COVID vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The FDA says patients and doctors should watch for difficulty breathing, swelling, dizziness, and rashes, which are all signs of an allergic reaction. Those reactions would happen within a few minutes to an hour after receiving the vaccine.
