Anaphylaxis and COVID-19 vaccines: Real-time interest using Google Trends

B, Camacho; R, Aguiar; Tanno, Luciana Kase; Ansotegui, Ignacio J.; Morais-Almeida, M.

Background Effective vaccines are key components in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic, so understanding the possible allergic reactions they might cause is essential. Data so far shows that the relative risk of a severe allergic reaction is slightly increased when compared with the overall risk of anaphylaxis due to vaccines, albeit the absolute risk remaining quite low. However, it is also important to be aware of what the population is searching for online, especially regarding controversial topics such as the CoViD-19 vaccines and severe allergic reactions that may result. Methods We conducted a Google Trends worldwide online search to look for any increase in Relative Search Volume (RSV) in the last 5 years regarding the search terms: “Anaphylaxis” and “Vaccine anaphylaxis”. Results We found that there was a major increase in the “Anaphylaxis” and “Vaccine anaphylaxis” RSV in December 2020, continuing up to January 2021, worldwide and in four selected countries. Conclusions We believe this sudden interest in anaphylaxis is related to reports of severe allergic reactions to these vaccines. This can lead to hesitancy in regards to vaccination, and our duty as health professionals is to recommend vaccination and assure that the vaccines are administered in well-equipped vaccination centres, assuring registries of all adverse / allergic reactions.