Can I still get the COVID-19 vaccine if I have allergies?
One of the most common questions medical professionals are getting about the vaccine is whether it is suitable for people with allergies. Here's what one doctor has to say.
This week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed that the UK is “currently vaccinating more than double the rate – per person per day – than any other country in Europe.”
According to Vaccines Deployment Minister Nadhim Zahawi, around 140 jabs are being handed out every minute on average.
17 mass vaccine sites have now been set up across England – with more to come before the end of the month (which could amount to 50 in total).
It’s safe to say that the vaccine programme is well and truly rolling, now – and it couldn’t have hit momentum at a better time.
According to health officials, there are more people currently in hospital with COVID than at any previous point during the pandemic.
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But the vaccine is, we’re repeatedly told by ministers, our route out of this.
More than 4 million people have received the jab so far, and the rest of the country is steadily moving forward in the queue – with Over 60s likely to be invited in the second half of February.
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But whilst some people await their turn with anticipation, others are expressing a hesitancy due to pre-existing conditions such as allergies.
This is complicated further, of course, by the fact there are two different jabs to consider (soon to be three when the Moderna vaccine hits the UK in spring), which have slightly different makeup.
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Dr Michael Barnish, Head of Nutrition & Genetics at REVIV, says the question he’s been asked most since the vaccine was rolled out is if the jab is safe for people with allergies.
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“Historically, the number of true allergic reactions to vaccines is very low,” Dr Barnish tells us.
“In the United Kingdom, only one case of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) per million vaccine doses was reported between 1997 and 2003, with no fatalities at all.
“Many common side effects of vaccination such as localised pain and swelling at the site of injection or flu-like symptoms can be mistaken for allergy but are normal reactions to the vaccine.
“These normal reactions are not a reason to avoid the Pfizer/BioNTech or AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.”
Dr Barnish has also stated that anyone who reacts badly to penicillin – one of the more common allergies to medicine – can safely receive either COVID jab.
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The doctor adds that people with latex allergies, too, can have both vaccines – but should make their physician aware of their condition before going ahead.
“The Pfizer/BioNtech and AstraZeneca vaccines are supplied in vials that have a stopper made from synthetic forms of rubber, which does not contain any dry natural rubber (latex),” he explains.
“But it is still important to let your Healthcare Provider know about your latex allergy in order to ensure they do not use any latex containing products, like gloves, whilst treating you.”
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People that have allergies to eggs, gelatine and dust mites are also safe to have either vaccine, Dr Barnish confirms.
The medical expert states that those who can’t eat fish are also ok to receive the jab – as the presence of any squalence will be in the form of a highly purified fat that doesn’t contain the proteins (which are what cause the allergic reaction).
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Individuals that have a history of anaphylaxis to a medicine, food, insect bite/sting or vaccine can still receive either vaccine, as long as there are no known allergies to any of the vaccine’s components.
This advice comes directly after close surveillance of the initial rollout by the medicines and healthcare products regulatory agency (MHRA). It is recommended for individuals that have a history of anaphylaxis and have the Pfizer BioTech vaccine should be monitored and observed for at least 15 minutes after the vaccination is given.
Dr Barnish states: “For those that have already received your first vaccination, if you developed patches of itchy skin or a localised rash after this first dose, then guidance suggests that it is safe to have the second dose and this second dose is encouraged by current guidelines.
“My best advice, if you have an allergy is prior to having the vaccine, make sure that you are given the patient information leaflet of the chosen vaccine to read beforehand. This leaflet will contain vital information about who is safe to have the vaccine and will provide a complete list of ingredients.
“Discussion with the medical professional prior to giving the vaccine is also encouraged if you have any questions or concerns.”
Dr Michael Barnish is a medically-trained doctor specialising in preventative and regenerative medicine. He is currently Head of Genetics & Nutrition at REVIV.
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Only 37% Brits claim they use swear words every single day
Emily Sergeant
Whether you can believe it or not, a new survey has revealed that only 37% of Brits reckon they swear every day.
Or maybe you can believe it.
Swearing and using inappropriate language definitely used to be considered far more offensive among generations gone by, but here today in the 21st century, it’s fair to say that curse words encompass a large part of the vocabulary used by a wide range of Brits spanning all ages.
For some, swearing is just another way of expressing yourself, but for others, it’s typically not acceptable.
But while it might be a controversial topic, an interesting new YouGov survey has found that swearing is something we nearly all do – with the majority of Brits (57%) saying they swear on most days, and only 8% claiming to never swear at all.
Only a third of Britons have a negative view of swearing, and young people are actually more likely to have a positive than negative view (unlike their elders)
As many may have predicted, men tend to be more regular swearers than women, with 41% saying they swear every day, compared to just 33% of women, and it was also found that younger Brits are more likely to curse on a regular basis too, with 47% of 18-34 year olds swearing every day, compared to only 19% of over 65s.
Even though lots of people perhaps don’t feel that comfortable using inappropriate language, just a third of Brits (33%) say they have an outright negative view of swearing, and nearly half of the public (48%) have what they would consider to be a ‘neutral attitude’ towards it.
When it comes to view points, YouGov found that there is, yet again, a clear generational shift in attitudes, with older Brits being the most likely to have a negative view of swearing (51%), compared to just 21% of 18-34 year olds.
In fact, 18-34 year olds are actually more likely to have a positive view of swearing (30%) rather than a negative one, the survey found.
Which swear words do Britons find the most offensive?
C*nt: 82% say very or fairly offensive Motherf*cker: 70% Fatherf*cker: 62% B*tch: 55% F*ck: 53% W*nker: 53% B*stard: 45% P*ssy: 44% Pr*ck: 42% Tw*t: 40% A*sehole: 39% D*ckhead: 39% Son of b*tch: 36% C*ck: 34% T*sser: 31%… pic.twitter.com/jovGbrSxdl
Does all of this change given the circumstances though? Do Brits consider it to be generally more acceptable to swear in certain places than others? The survey found that Brits are largely agreed on it being acceptable to swear when you’re in your home by yourself (91%), in response to physical pain (87%), or when you’re with friends in private (86%).
On the flip side, it’s considered unacceptable to swear in a place of worship (91%), while with a customer or client at work (94%), in front of children (95%), or at shopworkers (97%).
There are some instances, though, where the public are more divided, as when it comes to being with your with colleagues at work, nearly half (45%) of survey respondents see swearing as okay, but 53% see it as inappropriate.
The survey also looked into Brits’ particular favourite swear words, claiming that ‘most of us, deep-down’ have one we prefer to use most.
For this, it was the good old ‘f-word’ (f**k) that reigned supreme.
Featured Image – Etienne Girardet (via Unpslash)
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Former Manchester United star Patrice Evra is set to make his MMA debut very soon
Danny Jones
In another somewhat left-field turn of events in the sporting world, ex-Manchester United star Patrice Evra is set to swap his boots for gloves as he prepares to make his MMA debut.
The retired Man United player and French international ended his playing days back in 2019 after a short one-year spell at West Ham, and has mostly worked as a pundit in recent years.
Evra, 43, stunned his millions of followers online and even more football and fight fans alike by announcing he would be trying his hand at combat sports earlier this week.
Hopping on social media to confirm the news, it’s fair to say he’s already relishing the challenge.
The former left-back made 379 appearances for the Red Devils, winning 14 trophies, but this will be his first in the European division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), the second-biggest promotion in MMA after the UFC.
As far as we know, Evra has little to no background in fighting of any discipline, even if he was used to the more physical side of the game as a defender.
Writing via X on Friday, 25 April, the 2008 Champions League and ’09 Club World Cup winner, said: “I’m officially training for my first fight with PFL Europe. They will pick my opponent… They asked who I wanna face. I said: Luis Suárez.
“I’ll pay out of pocket. He can even bite me.”
Suárez, still playing at 38, was not only found guilty of at least three instances of biting other players but was famously charged with racially abusing Patrice Evra back in 2011, with the two sharing a strong feud ever since.
Now, since the Uruguayan striker is still playing professional football over in the MLS, alongside the one and only Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, we wouldn’t hold our breaths.
Nevertheless, it seems as though he will be fighting someone on 23 May, once an opponent is selected in the coming weeks.
Evra has been training with Cameroonian-French mixed martial artist and friend, Cédric Doumbé, a former kickboxing specialist and now an established fighter in the welterweight class.
Joking aside, although there are a lot of controversial moves that are legal in MMA, biting isn’t one of them – not that it ever stopped the former Liverpool forward in the past.
Speaking in an official press conference, Evra said: “I’ve performed on the world’s biggest stages, won every major trophy in football, but PFL Europe Paris will be an incredibly special night for me.
“I’ve been training alongside the best in the world for years, and they’ll also tell you I’m ready for this. I’m going to put on a show at the Accor Arena on 23 May, so come watch the spectacle.”
As out of the blue as it may seem, he obviously isn’t the only former athlete to have swapped one sport for another after calling time in their first career.
In fact, he’s not even the first United player to change lanes.
The Manc -
22nd January 2021 
