You can have the vaccination if you have an allergy to food, pollen, house dust mites, animals, insect venom, latex or medications other than the vaccines. You can have the vaccination even if you have had a strong reaction to another vaccine in the past. This is because each vaccine and each drug has different components that do not always lead to an allergic reaction.
When you go for your vaccination, it is important you let a medical professional on site know about your allergies and any previous allergic reactions.
Everyone must remain under observation for at least 15 minutes after the first vaccination. This way they are assured immediate treatment if a severe allergic reaction occurs. If there were no problems after the first vaccination, you only need to stay for five minutes after the booster.
A COVID-19 vaccination is not recommended if you have a severe confirmed allergy to an ingredient of the vaccine.
This is because severe allergic reactions have primarily occurred in people with confirmed severe allergies. Allergic reactions with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine were probably triggered by polyethylene glycol (PEG) or tromethamine (TRIS). Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is found in the Pfizer/BioNTech as well as in the Moderna vaccine. Tromethamine (TRIS) is contained in the Moderna vaccine and certain versions of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. In the Novavax protein vaccine, this is primarily due to an intolerance to Polysorbate 80, Saponin or Matrix-M. However, severe allergic reactions are very rare.
If you are unvaccinated to date and are unable to receive an mRNA vaccine or the Novavax protein vaccine for medical reasons, or if you do not wish to do so, you may, in consultation with your doctor, be able to receive the Janssen viral vector vaccine instead.
If you have questions or anything is unclear you are recommended to seek advice from the doctor responsible.
You will find more information at aha! Swiss Allergy Centre.