Covid Vaccination Question [Oh, no! Not another one...]

Medical Q&A [Moderated]
1

Good morning!

First off, please accept my apologies for posting yet another Covid vaccination question. I’ve sought out help from my local health department, health workers at my workplace, and my insurance company. However, none of them have been willing to give me a straight forward answer one way or another. I realize the situation may be the same here, but I’m out of ideas of where to turn for help at this point. I no longer have a PCP, as they retired at the end of this year and I’m still in the process of finding a new one. Time is also of the essence. I was informed, last night, that if I want to receive the vaccination I have to do so this Friday (1/15/21) at a specific time at a drive-through vaccination clinic. However, they also said that people with a history of allergic reactions should have it done at the local health department. When I called the health department, I was told they do not offer appointments for the vaccination.

Quick history - I have a history of allergy to wasp stings (approximately 6 years old at the time of the reaction, currently 36 years of age). Technically no anaphylaxis as I didn’t need to be administered epinephrine when the reaction occurred. However, I was mega-dosed with Benadryl and taken to the emergency room where I was kept for observation. They referred me to an allergist. Testing revealed that I was allergic to one specific type of wasp, and the allergist prescribed epinephrine. I carried it with me daily but also underwent shots for a total of 3 years. At the end of that therapy, I was dosed with the equivalent of 6 wasp stings and didn’t have a reaction of any kind. I have long since quit carrying epinephrine. However, I have not actually been stung by that particular type of wasp since then either. I tend to react poorly to any type of sting. Excessive swelling and itching that lasts for a number of days afterwards, even with antihistamine usage (mainly Benadryl) and some topical steroid usage.

I have had no adverse reactions to any medications and/or vaccinations in the past. My most recent vaccinations have been DTaP (4 years ago) and the yearly flu vaccine (get one every year).

Would you feel comfortable having one of your patients, with a similar history, receive the Covid vaccine in a drive-through style clinic? Or would you prefer that they be in an actual doctor’s office?

And and all input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

2

We really cannot give medical advice like this on the forum and I would encourage you to ask this specific question to where you will be getting the vaccine.

That said, none of what you said here is a contraindication to the receiving the COVID-19 vaccine:

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html

3

Thanks, Dr. Feigenbaum! I appreciate you sharing that vaccine resource with me. I have been unable to get a straight answer from the people administering the vaccination (the local health department). I contacted them directly first. I guess I’ll show up to the drive through clinic, lay it all out for the person vaccinating me, and see what they say.

4

I would imagine that those familiar with the guidelines wouldn’t tell you yes or no, but rather present you with information for you to make your own decision. A PCP would be useful in making the final decision based on the existing info. That said, you have the guidelines now and I think the recommendations are reasonable.

5

I know you’ve probably been losing sleep, so I wanted to make sure to stop back and in let everyone know I’m still alive after having been vaccinated on the 15th. Kind of disappointed I missed out on the PR side effect others have reported, but there’s always the second dose.