ANAPHYLAXIS OR ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK

Anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock is an acute, severe, and potentially lethal systemic allergic reaction that occurs as a single discrete event with simultaneous involvement of two or more organ systems.

RELATED VACCINES

• Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis (“DTaP”) Vaccine

• Haemophilus Influenzae type b (“Hib”) Vaccine

• Hepatitis A (“Hep A”) Vaccine

• Hepatitis B (“Hep B”) Vaccine

• Human Papillomavirus (“HPV”) Vaccine

• Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine

• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (“MMR”) Vaccine

• Meningococcal Vaccine

• Pneumococcal Conjugate (“PCV”) Vaccine

• Polio (“IPV”) Vaccine

• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis (“Tdap”) Vaccine

• Varicella (“Chickenpox”) Vaccine

Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It typically occurs within minutes or even seconds of exposure to things such as a specific food, insect venom, or certain medications such as penicillin for example. Anaphylaxis causes your system to release certain chemicals that in turn cause shock, resulting in a dramatic drop in blood pressure and a narrowing of the airway causing breathing difficulties. Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical care vis-à-vis a trip to the emergency room. You may know people who carry medications such as an epinephrine pen in order to self medicate if they are accidentally exposed to something to which they may have a severe reaction.

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While certain vaccine antigens have been known to cause an anaphylactic reaction, anaphylaxis is an extremely rare reaction to a vaccine. (approximately one in a million). Even fainting or a vasovagal response following a vaccine, also somewhat rare, is distinguished from a true anaphylactic reaction. Doctors and other healthcare professionals are usually trained to know the difference.