Columbia Allergy Now Offering COVID-19 Vaccine Desensitization and Risk Assessment Services

FREMONT, Calif., March 1, 2021 (Newswire.com) - In anticipation of more robust COVID vaccine rollouts, Columbia Allergy announces new COVID-19 Vaccine Desensitization and Risk Assessment Consultation services at any of its 16 locations throughout Northern California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Though severe allergic reactions to the vaccines have been rare, the leading allergy clinic is hoping to help more patients gain peace of mind through the safe testing of reactions to potential vaccine allergens, as well as an effective protocol for desensitizing patients who are, in fact, allergic.

"For the most part, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines do not include any ingredients that would cause an allergic reaction. The one caveat is the inclusion of a component of the polymer polyethylene glycol, which does carry a small allergy risk," says Sanjeev Jain, MD, PhD, founder of Columbia Allergy. "Thankfully, our allergists and immunologists are able to test for this allergy and even desensitize a person to it, if necessary."

Dr. Jain recommends any person suspecting an allergy to polyethylene glycol receive allergy testing prior to getting the COVID-19 vaccination. If a true allergy is found, Columbia Allergy may desensitize the patient's immune system to the allergen over the course of six hours. Once desensitization is achieved, the patient is safe to receive their vaccine within the next 24 hours.

"Our vaccine desensitization protocol involves injecting a very small amount of polyethylene glycol into a patient and very meticulously and slowly building up their tolerance until they are able to receive the COVID-19 vaccination safely," says Dr. Jain.

In addition to its COVID-19 Vaccine Desensitization and Risk Assessment Consultation services, Columbia Allergy is also recommending anyone above the age of 50 or under the age of 50 with asthma, chronic lung conditions, frequent infections, history of pneumonia, and comorbidities make an appointment with one of their immunologists to ensure optimal immune function during this time.

For more information and/or to schedule an in-person or video consultation, please visit www.columbiaallergy.com. 

About Columbia Allergy

Columbia Allergy is home to the nation's leading network of renowned allergists and immunologists specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of children and adults with environmental and food allergies. Founded in 2005 by Dr. Sanjeev Jain, world-renowned allergist/immunologist, Columbia Allergy's expert team of board-certified allergists and immunologists has successfully desensitized patients to nearly every food allergen imaginable and also specializes in treating asthma, hay fever, medication allergy, eczema, atopic dermatitis, and a wide range of other allergies. Columbia Allergy has 16 offices in Northern California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho. For more information and/or to schedule an in-person or video consultation, please visit www.columbiaallergy.com. 

Source: Columbia Allergy