Polyethylene Glycol
I am allergic to Polyethylene Glycol. There are going to be a number of posts explaining what that is and what the implications are, but for now bear with me as I explain a particular problem.
The mRNA vaccines against Covid contain Polyethylene Glycol (PEG). Originally in the UK there was a choice of vaccines under the NHS with the AstraZeneca one as the alternative. Those of us allergic to PEG and who qualified as clinically vulnerable were called to get our vaccines but had to go to special hubs ‘complex allergy units’ in order to get the vaccine. Doctor’s surgeries rarely knew the process and we were left fending for ourselves and sharing information through groups on places like Facebook.
Novavax
Then there was a period where that system stopped, but we could obtain the Novavax vaccine by going to some private chemists and paying. Despite being clinically vulnerable, the NHS put us on the ‘too difficult’ pile. Sadly, then things became even harder. For reasons I do not fully understand, there was no longer a supply of the Novavax vaccine to the UK. The NHS was only buying the mRNA vaccines and there was no provision for those who couldn’t have it.
Again through Facebook groups we shared information of where the vaccine might be available. The nearest country is Germany. I was due a vaccination last spring, but couldn’t manage a trip to Germany until May. Sadly, the expiry date of the vaccines supplied was April, so that wasn’t an option.
This autumn’s supply to Germany began on 17th November. Tomorrow, I set off on the drive to Germany simply to obtain a Covid vaccination and all because of a little thing called PEG.
Over the next few days I will try to write some entries not only explaining the implications of being allergic to PEG in more detail, but also about the implications of travelling with multiple allergies.
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