Joint Position Statement on BioNTech Vaccination in Adolescents with Allergic Diseases

This Statement was prepared to encourage Hong Kong adolescents aged 12-17 years old to receive BioNTech vaccine and recommend when to refer them for vaccine allergy evaluation. Importantly, the personal and societal benefits of BioNTech vaccination outweigh the risk of non-severe adverse vaccine reactions. BioNTech is currently contraindicated only in individuals with history of anaphylaxis to this vaccine or its components (e.g., polyethylene glycol [PEG]) by appropriate allergy testing. Subjects with history of immediate and severe allergic reactions to PEG-containing drugs or vaccines or immediate allergic reaction to the first dose of BioNTech warrant paediatric allergy referral to evaluate their fitness to receive this vaccine. Allergy to unrelated drugs, food, insect venoms as well as asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema are not contraindications for BioNTech. Patients with a history of severe allergic reactions after foods, unrelated drugs or vaccines can receive BioNTech with a longer observation of 30 minutes post-vaccination.