Covid Vaccine Exemptions advice

bery_451

Hi,
I received a letter and leaflet from NHS advising to book appointments for covid vaccines.
I read the leaflet and it says those with allergies are exempt from vaccines.
I have allergies and remember having a very bad reaction when I took the flu shot vaccine like over 20 years ago and since then I stopped taking flu vaccines and any vaccines in general and this also give me fear of vaccines. I wouldn't consider myself a lucky person because I survived from not dying from the flu in the last 20 years or is this a miracle and I am really lucky from not dying from the flu?

Anyways back on topic and I understand I will get replies here stating were not medical experts to answer your post so refer back to your GP however I tried calling my GP today but they are closed due to bank holiday.

So this is a general query instead of a specific medical case query and hence I like to to know generally/legally/within my rights can I travel/holiday abroad without taking the covid vaccines considering the circumstances mentioned above? If it is possible to travel abroad without vaccines then what is the procedure to be registered as exempt from covid vaccines?

unforeseen

It is up to the airlines and other countries what limitations are put in place wrt vaccinations.

Soot2006

There will always be people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. Most countries who have spoken out about this have said they would accept negative PCR tests in lieu of a vaccination, but of course you will need to check every part of the journey - airline, country you're visiting, maybe even return requirements. It might be more expensive for you than a vaccination would be be.

This is the current info on vaccine anaphylaxis and Covid jabs, so definitely have a chat with your GP:

From: https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/covid-19-advice/pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-and-allergies/

The latest information in the Green Book recommends special precautions be taken in individuals who have a history of anaphylaxis to a vaccine, injected antibody preparation or a medicine likely to contain PEG (e.g. depot steroid injection, laxative). However if your anaphylaxis occurred with a vaccine that did not contain Polysorbate 80 then there is no contraindication to receiving Covid vaccination.

• discuss with allergy specialist and consider possibility of PEG-allergy
• consider observation for 30 minutes if vaccination proceeds (see precautions)
• some patients may benefit from pretreatment with antihistamine, however this may mask initial symptoms of a reaction

Patients with undiagnosed PEG allergy often have a history of immediate onset-unexplained anaphylaxis or anaphylaxis to multiple classes of drugs or an unexplained anaphylaxis. Such individuals should not be vaccinated with the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, except on the expert advice of an allergy specialist. The AstraZeneca vaccine can be used as an alternative (unless otherwise contraindicated), particularly if they previously tolerated an injected influenza vaccine. The vaccine should be administered in a setting with full resuscitation facilities (e.g. a hospital), and a 30 minute observation period is recommended.

sheramber

Having the vaccine is not compulsory.
A requirement to have the vaccine to enter another country is nothing to do wIth UK. Each country will make their own rules, just as at present where you need yellow ever vaccine for travel to some countries.

I would suggest you contact the vaccine centre and discuss the allergy with them.
I know someone who reacted to the flu vaccine . She explained to the test centre and they took extra precautions  such as having a doctor available and her waiting for while after her vaccination before she could leave,
She had no problems allergy wise but did have the usual side effects reported after the first jag. She was fine after teh second.

soolin

I have some quite serious allergies and carry a warning card in case of medical emergencies (although I currently don’t have a medical alert bracelet as I keep forgetting to get a new one). 

When I attended for my first jab I showed the medical staff my warning card and a doctor came and spoke to me and explained that my allergies would be fine with the components of the jab, so I went ahead without any issues. 

It is not currently known what will happen going forward and what countries, if  any, will restrict travel for those who are unvaccinated. It may be that vaccination status will not matter at all in a year or two, or it might be that unvaccinated people may be refused entry to some places in order to protect their own citizens, we will all just have to wait and see. 

Pollycat

bery_451 said:

Hi,
I received a letter and leaflet from NHS advising to book appointments for covid vaccines.
I read the leaflet and it says those with allergies are exempt from vaccines.
I have allergies and remember having a very bad reaction when I took the flu shot vaccine like over 20 years ago and since then I stopped taking flu vaccines and any vaccines in general and this also give me fear of vaccines. I wouldn't consider myself a lucky person because I survived from not dying from the flu in the last 20 years or is this a miracle and I am really lucky from not dying from the flu?

Anyways back on topic and I understand I will get replies here stating were not medical experts to answer your post so refer back to your GP however I tried calling my GP today but they are closed due to bank holiday.

So this is a general query instead of a specific medical case query and hence I like to to know generally/legally/within my rights can I travel/holiday abroad without taking the covid vaccines considering the circumstances mentioned above? If it is possible to travel abroad without vaccines then what is the procedure to be registered as exempt from covid vaccines?

Try calling your GP today.

PterionPterion

The legal specifics will vary with each country. You could well 'legally' travel abroad but find further restrictions with airlines, hotels, restaurants and local activities. Asserting your rights will be much more difficult abroad at a local level depending on where you travel to and what you plan on doing there. 

kirtondm

General allergies and a bad reaction to flu vaccines are not specific contra-indications to having the COVID jabs. They are interested if you have a specific severe allergy to a specific ingredient in one of the vaccines. Might be worth a chat to the vaccine centre 

Toothsmith

As others have said - contact your GP and explain the situation.

I have been volunteering as a vaccinator in this process though - and it is really well organised and can cope with everyone. 
Patients with mild non-specific allergies are generally directed to the AZ vaccine, which has slightly less incidence of any allergic reaction (although both Az and Pfizer are low anyway, Pfizer is very slightly higher). 

People having had mild reactions to a first jab are generally asked to wait for 30 mins in a waiting area and a duty Dr is informed. Facilities are on site to deal with anaphylaxis or any lesser allergic reactions anyway.  Staff are trained too.

If a pt has allergies of serious concern, then they are directed to a hospital based clinic where not only are there Drs and facilities for dealing with anaphylaxis - but full-on critical care facilities.

So you should have the conversation with your Dr, or with the clinic you book yourself in with. Your concerns will be listened too and assessed, and then they will decide if there is a safe place where it could be given - or whether the risk is such that it shouldn't.

You will still be in control of the process though - and your concerns will be taken into account for the final decision.

mda99das

The vaccine is not obligatory, however as others have said that you would need to follow the policies of the country that you are visiting and take advice. Personally I have vaccinated people with severe unknown allergies with AZ and observed them for 30 mins. We have the defib on standby and adrenaline and are trained in how to manage anaphylaxis. For Pfizer its the PEG that people are most likely to have an allergic reaction to. If you are still worried, get your GP to refer you to a hospital based clinic.