Covid-19 vaccine exemption?

Covid-19 vaccine exemption?

A few years ago I was in the hospital for cellulitis on my left forefinger. While at the emergency room I was administered Vancomycin. I had an immediate severe allergic reaction. My entire body heated up and I was itching from the scalp (literally) to the bottom of my feet. I am aware that polyethylene glycol is an ingredient. Can this be used as a medical exemption being that both vaccines contain polyethylene glycol as an ingredient? Fyi I have cold weather induced asthma, and I'm 43 years old.

2 Answers

Dr. Kevin Metzger

Family Practitioner

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Hi,

Polyethylene glycol is in both the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines so if you’re allergic you should not get them. The J&J vaccine has Polysorbate which is different but related to Polyethylene glycol so it may or may not cause an allergic reaction

Dr. Elliot Francke

Infectious Disease Specialist

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Thanks for the question.
It is not clear if your reaction to the Vancomycin was due to the drug itself or the stabilizer polyethylene glycol, but I agree with your concern. I have offered medical exemptions in this circumstance.