A rare allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine hasnB次元官网网址檛 swayed a Victoria womanB次元官网网址檚 belief in the benefits of vaccinations.
B次元官网网址淚 have no regrets at all. I really donB次元官网网址檛. I was safe and cared for and I personally believe those mechanisms were also in place during the production of the vaccines,B次元官网网址� said Annie Taal in a release from Island Health. B次元官网网址淚 understand the fear and uncertainty many people are feeling B次元官网网址� but the fact-based evidence shows us the vaccines are safe and they are the best way for us to move forward through the pandemic.B次元官网网址�
First diagnosed with serious allergies as a teenager, Taal, 32, spoke with her doctor and sister, a public health nurse, about whether she should receive the vaccination. They all determined that the risks of COVID far outweighed any risk associated with the vaccine.
Taal received her vaccine at Archie Browning Centre in late May. After the procedure she waited for 15 minutes as recommended, noticing that her mouth felt slightly itchy around the eight-minute mark. She left the facility to drop something off less than a minute away and started to feel unwell.
B次元官网网址淚 couldnB次元官网网址檛 take a deep breath. I was winded and felt like I had a sunburn,B次元官网网址� she said.
Taal returned to Archie Browning and was taken into a private area where nurses determined she was having an anaphylactic reaction.
B次元官网网址淭hey calmed me down, called my sister and administered epinephrine. Paramedics then took me to Victoria General Hospital for observation.B次元官网网址�
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From there, Taal was referred to an immunologist in Victoria to determine if she could receive a second dose of vaccine. They used a technique called graded-dose administration B次元官网网址� where the full dose is separated into smaller doses and provided over a span of time with close monitoring B次元官网网址� and Taal is now fully vaccinated.
She was also asked to participate in a study of people who have experienced an allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine.
B次元官网网址淚 am grateful to be part of this study because we really donB次元官网网址檛 know yet why some people have these rare reactions,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚f I can help just one person feel safer about getting their shot, it will be worth it.B次元官网网址�
Dr. Michael Benusic, a medical health officer with Island Health, confirms that a very small number of people will react to the vaccine.
B次元官网网址淪evere allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines are very rare B次元官网网址� about 1 in 100,000 people will react. Our vaccination sites are set up to identify and respond to this when it occurs, which is exactly what happened with this patient,B次元官网网址� he said.
Despite being one of those rare cases, Taal said she is happy to now be fully vaccinated.
B次元官网网址淚 did it to protect the people around me B次元官网网址� my mom is a cancer survivor, I have nieces and nephews. I want them to be safe. The longer people wait to get vaccinated, the longer COVID will be with us.B次元官网网址�
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Dr. Benusic urges anyone who is still on the fence to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
B次元官网网址淲ith the Delta variant, the risk of serious disease from COVID-19 is the highest itB次元官网网址檚 been,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淯nvaccinated adults make up only 10 per cent of the population in Island Health, but are experiencing the vast majority of COVID-19 hospitalizations, critical care admissions and deaths in critical care.B次元官网网址�
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