Pfizer vaccine gives Queensland health care worker an anaphylactic reaction

A health worker on Queensland’s Gold Coast has had a severe anaphylactic reaction to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

Gold Coast Health said the person — who has a history of anaphylaxis — recovered quickly and is well after yesterday’s incident.

It is the first reported case of a serious side-effect among the more than 5,000 people who have been inoculated in Queensland so far.

Authorities have said COVID-19 vaccines are safe and there are protocols in place for before and after the injection is given.

But how safe is safe?

University of Queensland virologist Kirsty Short said a reaction like this was completely normal for someone who had a history on anaphylaxis.

“This is something that has been built into the vaccine plan,” she said.