A compound known as polyethylene glycol may be responsible for some of the allergic reactions seen in people who have been given coronavirus vaccines, a top US Food and Drug Administration official said on Friday.
At least three cases of anaphylaxis – a severe allergic reaction – were reported in the first week of the launch of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine in the US, as well as two in the UK. All cases reported to health workers have been resolved through prompt treatment, and doctors say allergic reactions to any vaccine can be expected.
Dr. Peter Marks, who heads the FDA’s Center for Biological Assessment and Research, said in a hearing Friday that the FDA is investigating which component of the vaccine could cause an allergic reaction. He said the FDA is investigating five possible cases of an allergic reaction.
“It is known that one of the components in both vaccines, polyethylene glycol, may be unusually associated with allergic reactions,” Marks said.
These allergic reactions may be more common than previously thought, he added, saying people are exposed to polyethylene glycol in pharmaceuticals, including intestinal and laxative preparations.
“It simply came to our notice then. And that is why we will watch very carefully when we see the launch of the Moderna vaccine “, he said.
The FDA authorized the emergency use of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine on Friday and requested that administration sites keep treatments handy for anaphylaxis.