KUALA LUMPUR –Three individuals of the more than 113,000 to receive the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Singapore have suffered the rapid onset of severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis.
The trio, in their 20s and 30s, have since recovered, and were allowed to be discharged from hospital after observation and treatment, Singapore’s Straits Times (ST) reported the Health Ministry as saying yesterday.
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said 432 people experienced adverse effects from the jab, showing symptoms that are generally associated with all kinds of vaccinations.
These include swelling, fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, giddiness, nausea and allergic reactions, with most of the symptoms gone without treatment within a few days.
In the three cases with severe reactions, the ministry said they developed symptoms including rash, breathlessness, swelling of the lips, tightness in the throat, and dizziness, but were “promptly detected and treated”.
All three have a history of allergies, but none with anaphylaxis, which would have ruled them out of receiving the Covid-19 vaccine.
“As all vaccinated persons in Singapore are closely monitored, the symptoms in these three individuals were promptly detected and treated,” said the ministry.
Globally, about two individuals experience anaphylaxis per 100,000 vaccine doses administered. Singapore’s incidence rate is 2.7 per 100,000.
The ministry’s medical services director, Kenneth Mak, said the higher rate of reporting adverse events reflects Singapore’s vigilance and promptness in reporting such incidents.
ST quoted the ministry as saying more than 50 individuals have received their second dose of the coronavirus vaccine, with more expected to be inoculated in the coming weeks.
The ministry added that it will continue to work with HSA and the Expert Committee on Covid-19 Vaccination to closely monitor the vaccine’s safety.
Singapore began its vaccine roll-out on December 30 last year. – The Vibes, January 29, 2021
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