Wrong vaccine advice angers

A man eager to get his Covid-19 vaccine says his doctor and Healthline staff told him to hold off, once he explained he had a recorded reaction to the flu jab – advice immunologists say is categorically wrong.

Dougal Cable, a 75-year-old essential worker, got in touch with The Dominion Post desperate to know when the Janssen vaccine might be available, claiming he was told other vaccines were his only option. But leading immunologists say allergies to previous vaccines do not rule people out of the Pfizer vaccine roll-out, highlighting the need for thorough training for Healthline workers and frontline staff.

Cable is a train manager from Waikanae who worked through both lockdowns. He comes into contact with hundreds of train passengers every day.

He said his doctor advised him not to have the Pfizer vaccine last year, when news emerged of the Government purchasing multiple Covid-19 vaccines, subject to them passing MedSafe approval.

‘‘He said ‘you mustn’t have the Pfizer one because you’ve had an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine.’’

The reaction happened in the 90s. It was not anaphylaxis, but Cable described an ‘‘extreme’’ rash, muscle stiffness and headache that came on 24 hours after the vaccine and took 10 days to go away.

Cable’s medical centre did not respond to requests for comment about the advice given by his doctor.

Three months ago, and after reminder from his medical centre to get the vaccine, he sought clarity at the Covid-19 0800 number.

‘‘The first person I spoke to wasn’t medically qualified and she passed me on to a second person, who advised me not to get the Pfizer vaccine.

‘‘It was quite definite. They said to contact my doctor’s surgery and inform them I should have the Janssen vaccine when it becomes available.’’

Healthline refused to discuss Cable’s

situation citing privacy reasons, even with Cable’s permission, but Cable is adamant he explained what his doctor had advised him and why.

‘‘These conversations are highly individualised in their very nature and we work closely with the Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) to ensure our advice is consistent with relevant guidelines,’’ Healthline chief executive Andrew Slater said in a brief statement.

IMAC, which provides the training and resources for vaccinators and Healthline staff, said the flu vaccine does not share any active ingredients with the Pfizer vaccine, so an allergy to the flu jab does not render the Covid-19 vaccine unsafe.

The Ministry of Health said people with

a history of anaphylaxis can can still have the Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine, but should be monitored for 30 minutes afterwards instead of the standard 15min.

‘‘Anyone who has had an unexpected anaphylactic reaction to the first dose should not receive a second dose.

People who have had severe or immediate allergic reactions to a component called polyethylene glycol – a common bulking agent found in skin creams and soaps – should not get the vaccine, but the number was ‘‘very small and difficult to quantify’’, the Ministry said.

For those people, it said: ‘‘we recognise there may be merit in providing a different vaccine,’’ but no decisions had been made on AstraZeneca or Janssen vaccines.