NYC Coronavirus Vaccine Recipient Suffers ‘Serious’ Reaction

NEW YORK CITY — A New York City health care worker suffered a “significant allergic reaction” after receiving a coronavirus vaccine, officials said.

The worker received treatment is in stable condition, city health officials announced Wednesday. It’s the first reported “serious adverse event” out of about 30,000 coronavirus vaccine recipients, they said.

“Vaccines do have side effects and allergic reactions – while uncommon – are known to occur,” a Department of Health and Mental Hygiene statement read. “We also know that based on clinical trials and reports of adverse effects in other jurisdictions, reactions such as these are rare but have been reported with the Pfizer vaccine.”

Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi previously said the department is monitoring COVID-19 recipients for side effects.

A smattering of recipients worldwide have suffered allergic reactions after receiving a coronavirus vaccine.

Vaccinations in New York City started last week and have so far only went to health care workers and nursing home residents and staff. The vaccination program has went smoothly so far, with the city outpacing the national average for distributing doses.

“The City Health Department is closely tracking reports of more severe side effects in collaboration with the CDC, and this is the first serious adverse event we have encountered in New York City,” a health department statement read. “We will continue to move forward with the coronavirus vaccine distribution to ensure that health care workers and nursing home staff and residents are protected against COVID-19.”