Those with a history of severe allergic reactions to food or medicine are being advised by health authorities in the United Kingdom not to take the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine. CBS writes “The warning came after two health care workers who got the vaccine on Tuesday — among the first batch of people to receive an approved vaccine against the coronavirus disease in the western world — suffered adverse reactions.” National Health Service Medical Director Stephen Powis said:

“As is common with new vaccines the MHRA (UK drug regulator) have advised on a precautionary basis that people with a significant history of allergic reactions do not receive this vaccination after two people with a history of significant allergic reactions responded adversely yesterday.” 

The Independent writes that those impacted carried EpiPens with them, “The two NHS staff members, who are understood to have a “strong past history of allergic reactions” and carry an adrenaline auto injector with them, both recovered after receiving the appropriate treatment.”