Note: This issue is evolving. We will update this post as news comes out.
What are the COVID-19 Vaccines approved in Qatar?
The Ministry of Public Health has signed two agreements with leading international pharmaceutical companies Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech to procure their COVID-19 vaccines. The Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for emergency use by the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Control in the Ministry of Public Health. Their review showed that the vaccine is safe and effective in accordance with international standards. The MOPH approval of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine follows similar approvals in other countries including the United States and United Kingdom.
What is the Pfizer and BioNTech and
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine?
Both are based on mRNA technology, a way of giving the body the genetic instructions it needs to make the coronavirus spike protein. The idea is to trigger an immune response that produces antibodies and protects people from getting infected when exposed to the real virus.
Two doses will be required, at least three weeks apart. The vaccine can be given to people 16 years and older.
What are normal side effects to the COVID-19 vaccines?
People who receive either of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines may experience the following:
- Swelling or pain at injection site
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscular or joint pain
- Fever
These side effects are considered normal as your body builds protection to the coronavirus. Antipyretic or analgesic medications may be taken for treatment of post vaccination symptoms.
What is the current guidance for administering COVID-19 vaccine for people with allergies?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidance for people with allergies and whether they should receive either the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or the Moderna vaccine for COVID-19.
The guidance states the following:
- People who receive the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine and must undergo a 15-minute observation period after receiving the vaccine to ensure there’s no allergic reaction.
- History of food, insect venom, oral medications, environmental or latex allergies.
- Non-serious allergy to vaccines or other injectable (e. g. no anaphylaxis).
- Family history of anaphylaxis.
- History of drug-delayed-type intolerance (e.g. skin rash alone)
- Chronic urticarial/angioedema.
- Patients with asthma
- People who receive the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine and must undergo a 30-minute observation period
- History of severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any agents or injectable medication.
- History of severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to an injectable medication
- Patients with severe asthma
- People who receive the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine and must undergo a 60-minute observation period and follow up within next 3 weeks
- History of severe allergic reaction(anaphylaxis) to another vaccine (not including Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna)
- History of severe delayed-type reactions to medications (confirmed by allergy physicians)
Who should not receive Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine?
The Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is contraindicated in the following circumstances:
- Immediate allergic reaction (type I) of any severity to a previous dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Immediate allergic reactions (type I) to the first dose of any mRNA vaccine should not receive additional doses of either of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
- Immediate (type I) or anaphylactic hypersensitivity to the first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, any component of the vaccine or it packaging, including allergy to polyethylene glycol (PEG) that might be present in some laxatives, cough syrup, cosmetics, contact lens care solutions, skin care products, and an additive in some food and drinks.
- Allergic to polysorbate; polysorbate is not in the vaccine but is closely related to PEG.
I had some patches of itchy skin after my first dose of COVID-19 vaccination (but no systemic symptoms). Should I get my second dose?
Individuals with a localized urticarial (itchy) skin reaction (without systemic symptoms) to the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine should receive the second dose of vaccine with prolonged observation (30 minutes) in a setting with full resuscitation facilities (e.g. a hospital).
Do the COVID-19 vaccines contain egg?
No. Neither the Pfizer/BioNTech nor Moderna COVID-19 vaccines contain any egg proteins nor are none of the vaccines contraindicated in egg allergy.
Do the COVID-19 vaccines contain any preservatives?
Neither of the COVID-19 vaccines contains any preservatives that may trigger an allergic reaction.
Do the COVID-19 vaccine stoppers contain any natural rubber latex?
The Pfizer/BioNtech vaccination is supplied in vials that have a stopper made from Bromobutyl. This is a synthetic form of rubber which does not contain any dry natural rubber (latex). Pfizer have confirmed that latex is not used at all in the raw materials used to produce the vaccine, so the vaccine is safe for people with latex allergy.
What About Covid-19 vaccine and Asthma?
People with underlying medical conditions such as asthma can receive the COVID-19 vaccine as long as they have not had an immediate or severe allergic reaction to the vaccine or any of its ingredients. But they must undergo a 15-minute observation period if their asthma well controlled and a 30-minute observation period if they have severe asthma.
