| Abstract [eng] |
Vaccines are an essential public health tool, known for their safety and efficacy, which have historically helped to reduce the burden of infectious diseases in population. The COVID-19 vaccines, recognised as the most effective public health intervention for managing the pandemic, have also shown similar positive impacts on health worldwide. Although COVID-19 vaccines are associated with various adverse events, the majority are the result of natural immune system activation. Most of the reported adverse reactions to vaccines are mild, short-lived, and rarely recur after subsequent vaccine doses. However, severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis can occasionally occur following COVID-19 vaccination. This paper reviews both immune and non-immune, local and systemic adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines and analyzes two clinical cases, utilizing the PubMed database and the specialized Google Scholar search system. Previous experience indicates that allergic reactions following vaccination are not triggered by the vaccine's active component but by its excipients. Currently, two main allergens have been identified that can cause allergic reactions after COVID-19 vaccines – polyethylene glycol and polysorbate 80. Despite this, the exact mechanism causing these adverse reactions remains unclear. The World Health Organization and other healthcare institutions emphasise that the only contraindications for further COVID-19 vaccination are severe allergic reactions to the first dose or proven increased sensitivity to one of the vaccine's components. Improving understanding and actively sharing information about anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions following vaccination can enhance public trust in vaccine safety and help reduce vaccine hesitancy in society. |
