Should I Undergo Any Allergy Testing Prior To The Vaccine?

Posted on Mon, 22 Mar 2021

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 Answered on

Mon, 3 Feb 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : I would like to get the Pfizer covid vaccine. I am being asked if I’ve ever had a reaction to an ingredient in the vaccine. I have no history of severe allergic reactions and no history of any negative reactions to vaccines. However, my concern is that I did have a local reaction to the Tubersol TB skin test. It caused what appeared to be a very positive result. It was 20+mm, red, and itchy. After a clear chest x-ray I requested a repeat test with Aplisol. No reaction that time. The nurse said that I may have had a reaction to the ingredients in Tubersol, but as an untrained person the ingredients look the same to me in both TB tests. I would like to know if there is any ingredients in the Pfizer vaccine that are in the Tubersol TB test and could have caused my reaction. Should I undergo any allergy testing prior to the vaccine? I suffer from pretty severe anxiety and OCD so I need to feel confident that I am safe to take the vaccine or I will likely have a panic attack and chicken out :(

Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You can do Pfizer vaccine safely ,no allergy test needed

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

First think that I should emphasize is that a positive PPD test does not mean it is an allergy but that the test is possitive. It means that in one moment in your life you have encountered with the Baxter of TB. This is not a disease itself. In my knowledge there is no connection with Pfizer vaccine for covid 19 and PPD test.

I suggest that you safely can do the Pfizer vaccine and I am sure nothing will happen.

Hope to have been helpful

Regards

Dr.Jolanda

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D