Man keen to get the Covid-19 vaccine said his doctor and Healthline staff told him to stop, after he explained he had a recorded reaction to the flu vaccine – the advice that immunologists say is categorically wrong.

Dougal Cable, a 75-year-old essential worker, contacted Thing desperate to know when the Janssen vaccine might be available, saying he was told other vaccines were his only option.

But prominent immunologists say allergies to previous vaccines do not exclude people from Pfizer vaccine deployment, underscoring the need for extensive training for Healthline workers and frontline staff.

Cable is a train director from Waikanae who worked during both blockages. He comes into contact with hundreds of train passengers every day.

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He said his doctor advised him not to receive the Pfizer vaccine last year, when news emerged that the government was purchasing several Covid-19 vaccines, subject to passing MedSafe approval.

“He said” you must not have the one from Pfizer because you had an allergic reaction to the flu shot. “

The reaction occurred in the 1990s. It was not an anaphylaxis, but Cable described an “extreme” rash, muscle stiffness and headache that started 24 hours after the vaccine and took 10 days to disappear.

Cable Medical Center did not respond to requests for comment on the advice given by his doctor.

Three months ago, and after a reminder from his medical center to be vaccinated, he asked for clarification on the number Covid-19 0800.

“The first person I spoke to was not medically qualified and passed me on to a second person, who advised me not to get the Pfizer vaccine.

“It was pretty precise. They told me to contact my doctor’s office and let them know that I should get the Janssen vaccine as soon as it becomes available.

Healthline declined to discuss Cable’s situation citing confidentiality issues, even with Cable’s permission, but Cable is adamant he explained what his doctor advised him and why.

It is understood that Healthline staff did not dispute this advice.

“These conversations are very individualized in their very nature, and we work closely with the Immunization Advisory Center (IMAC) to ensure that our advice is in line with relevant guidelines,” said Healthline CEO Andrew Slater, in a brief press release.

IMAC, which provides training and resources to vaccinators and Healthline staff, said the flu vaccine does not share any active ingredients with the Pfizer vaccine, so an allergy to the flu vaccine does not make the vaccine Covid- 19 dangerous.

The health ministry said people with a history of anaphylaxis can still receive the Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine, but should be monitored for 30 minutes afterwards instead of the standard 15.

“Anyone who has had an unexpected anaphylactic reaction to the first dose should not receive a second dose.

People who have had severe or immediate allergic reactions to a component called polyethylene glycol (PEG) – a common bulking agent found in skin creams and soaps – should not receive the vaccine, but the number was “very. weak and difficult to quantify, ”the ministry said.

For these people, the ministry said: “We recognize that it may be useful to provide a different vaccine”, but no decision has been made on the use of AstraZeneca or Janssen vaccines.

“Completely unacceptable” – vaccinologist

Since Cable had not had an anaphylactic reaction to the flu vaccine, University of Auckland vaccinologist Dr Helen Petousis-Harris said he “should be fine”.

She had heard from others who had received the wrong or contradictory advice, a problem which she described as “totally unacceptable”.

“You would expect to get accurate information from these sources, but sometimes that doesn’t always happen.

She received a question or two from members of the public about it every day, she said.

Vaccination nurse Karin Batty, who works for the Global Vaccine Data Network, said the first piece of advice when the rollout began in the US was “if you’ve had anaphylaxis of anything in the past – wait, give us a little time to figure this out.”

It later became clear that a history of anaphylaxis was not a risk factor, she said.

“Information moved very quickly and… once you start educating people it’s often very difficult to grab everyone and say ‘it’s changed’. “

“And how do we fix this now?” Emphasis should be placed on supporting health professionals to acquire good knowledge and feel confident in sharing it. “

General practitioners “have the tools” – Betty

Training from the Vaccination Advisory Center is not mandatory for general practitioners if they do not administer the Covid-19 vaccine, confirmed Bryan Betty, medical director of the College of General Practitioners.

When asked if that means some medics could slip through the cracks with the latest advice, Betty said, “I don’t think that’s a big deal.”

“In these situations … getting secondary advice is relatively easy if there is a little uncertainty. General practitioners have access to the tools, there is no doubt about it.

IMAC’s Nikki Turner said health workers with questions should call the IMAC counseling line, but the public should call the Covid Healthline number.