People with severe allergies told to avoid Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine

People who have severe allergies should not receive the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, the UK regulator has announced.

The advice, issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, comes after two NHS workers developed anaphylactoid reaction symptoms shortly after receiving the jab. Both have a history of serious allergies and carry adrenaline with them. They have been treated and are now recovering.

June Raine, head of the MHRA, said it was right to issue the advice now that "we’ve had this experience".

Stephen Powis, medical director for NHS England, said: "As is common with new vaccines, the MHRA 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."

A spokesperson for Pfizer told Sky News that both companies were supporting the MHRA following "two yellow card reports that may be associated with allergic reaction due to the administration of the Covid-19 BNT162b2 vaccine". The spokesperson added that the vaccine had been "generally well tolerated" during the trials with no serious safety concerns.

The latest advice has been given to all NHS trusts involved in the vaccination rollout.

On Tuesday, the UK began rolling out the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, and around 20,000 people have already received it. It requires two injections, 21 days apart.

The programme, which is currently being rolled out in hospitals, is set to be expanded to GP surgeries from next week. The over-80s will be invited first.