INTRODUCTION
Mass vaccination was the main strategy to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
Very early in the vaccination campaign, hypersensitivity reactions were
reported, (Ahmadi et al, Chu et al). Adverse reactions occurring between
a few minutes, hours or few days after COVID-19 vaccination are quite
common with some of these reactions resembling symptoms that are seen in
allergic reactions, like urticarial rash, angioedema, shortness of
breath, wheezing, nausea, and hypotension (Jaggers et al, Abbaspour et
al). Also, during the pandemic, some persons were not vaccinated out of
precaution due to a possible or confirmed allergy to one of the
excipients of the COVID-19 vaccine like polysorbate 80 or polyethylene
glycol (PEG) Krantz et al).
In the Netherlands, the National Institute for Public Health and the
Environment (RIVM) published vaccination guidelines that are followed up
by the Municipal Health Service (GGD) that was in charge of the Covid-19
vaccination campaign. Since it became known that many persons with a
previous response to a COVID-19 vaccination could safely receive a
second dose, persons were referred to the allergy departments. In this
study the aim was to identify persons at increased risk of reacting
severely to a COVID-19 vaccination. If that is possible, more patients
can be vaccinated outside the hospital and there is less need to refer
to allergy departments in future.