Britain investigates possible allergic reaction to COVID vaccine

The British health authorities are investigating two cases of an adverse response to the coronavirus vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech, which occurred on the day the mass vaccination program began. At the same time, they advised people who had experienced severe allergic reactions in the past not to be vaccinated with this vaccine, AP reported on Wednesday.

Stephen Powis, a spokesman for Britain's NHS health system, said the authorities were acting on the recommendations of the MHRA regulatory drug agency.

Two cases of possible allergic reaction occurred on Tuesday, which was the inaugural day of the mass vaccine program against COVID-19 in Britain. MHRA chief June Raine told MEPs that the allergic reactions reported were not a side effect observed during clinical trials.

Pfizer, BioNTech and the American company Moderna applied for conditional registration of their vaccines on the European Union market in early December. The EMA is currently researching vaccines, and will evaluate the Pfizer and BioNTech versions by Dec. 29 and Moderna by Jan. 12. The decision must then be approved by the European Commission.

The Czech government plans to buy vaccines for about 5.5 million people, who may be vaccinated by late summer, 2021. The Czech Republic has a population of 10.7 million. People suffering from chronic diseases, the elderly, health personnel and workers in the critical state infrastructure should be given priority in the vaccine distribution.