Vaccine safety
One of the concerns about naming aluminum as the allergen of the year is the potential to cause anxiety around vaccines. “We want to make sure that we’re not giving more fuel to people who have an excuse not to get a vaccine,” Dr. Yu said. “We certainly want to reinforce that fact that it is safe.” Dr. Belsito noted that COVID-19 vaccines do not contain aluminum.
Even on the rare chance that a patient does have a reaction to an aluminum-containing vaccine, these subcutaneous nodules resolve over time, Dr. Belsito said. In his own clinical experience, “99.99% of the time they resolve and there is no residual.” He did add that overreacting to the rash by prescribing injectable steroids can lead to steroid atrophy. In these cases, a topical steroid may be more appropriate.
All unexpected or clinically significant vaccine reactions should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, cosponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration. The Clinical Immunization Project Safety Assessment Project, from the CDC, also can provide expertise and advice on aluminum-free alternatives for some vaccines.
Dr. Belsito and Dr. Yu have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.