How common are skin reactions after Pfizer and Moderna vaccines?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-06-24 15:00

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One in 25 people who have both doses of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines may have a skin reaction, according to a US study. Researchers surveyed over 40,000 people who were vaccinated with one of the two types of vaccine, looking for skin reactions like itching, rashes, hives and swelling. 1.9 per cent of people had a skin reaction after the first dose, the researchers say. Additionally they add that of the people in that group who had a second dose, 83 per cent had no repeat reaction. And, 2.3 per cent of people who had no reaction to the first dose reacted to the second. The researchers say these reactions do not mean people should reconsider their second dose, and most reactions do not require referral to a skin or allergy specialist.