The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines have been making news as a few patients have reported anaphylactic reactions to the vaccinations. Our allergy experts at Columbia Allergy are here to help!
If you have a suspected allergy to polyethylene glycol, we recommend that allergy testing is performed in our office before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. If you are found to have a true allergy to polyethylene glycol or polysorbate, our specialists at Columbia Allergy have a safe and effective protocol for desensitizing your immune system to this substance. The desensitization treatment consists of approximately one six-hour appointment during which you will receive injections of polyethylene glycol or polysorbate, starting with a very small amount and working your way up to the amount you need to tolerate in order to safely receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Once you are successfully desensitized to polyethylene glycol or polysorbate, you are eligible to receive your COVID-19 vaccine within the next 24 hours or so.
How to Get Started
If you have a known or suspected allergy to polyethylene glycol:
- Make an appointment at your nearest Columbia Allergy location for polyethylene glycol allergy testing.
- If a true allergy is detected, make an appointment for your polyethylene glycol allergy desensitization ( ~ 6 hours in length).
- Make an appointment for your COVID-19 vaccination within the recommended timeline from your provider after desensitization is completed.
*We are not administering COVID-19 vaccines at any of our locations at this time. You will need to coordinate receiving your vaccination with an outside provider.