Florida woman takes 3 vaccines at once, suffers a reaction – tips to stay safe

New Delhi: A Florida woman has recently been making headlines for severe allergic reactions that she suffered after allegedly getting multiple vaccinations at the same time. Her videos are going viral on social media showing the severe reaction – swollen, bruised fat and Alexis Lorenze struggling to speak. She had reportedly received three vaccinations for tetanus, meningitis, and pneumonia at the same time at the UCI Medical Center in Orange, California.

“It’s on my neck. It’s on my face, on my forehead. I am here trying to spread awareness of what is happening to me. I’m really scared, and everything in my body hurts. Please, TikTok. Please, help me, give me advice, spread this video in case this gets worse. The medical world needs to see this, please,” Alexis wrote in one of her social media posts.

The patient also accused the hospital of trying to ‘kill her’. The reactions, she revealed, started within minutes of getting the vaccination. She was also diagnosed with PNH (paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria), a rare blood disorder, earlier this year. But what happens when one mindlessly takes vaccinations, and are there any precautions that can save a patient from the side effects that Alexis suffered from?

In an interaction with News9Live, Dr. Manish Bharti, Senior Consultant, HOD and Interventional Intensivist, ShardaCare – Healthcity, shared some simple tips to get vaccinations safely.

“Always do research. Before getting vaccinated, do your research on the vaccine you will receive. It is essential to learn more about the different types of vaccines. Make sure you’re relying on accurate information by checking that it comes from trustworthy sources like your Health Ministry, WHO, or UNICEF. Tell your doctor about any conditions you may have or about any medications you use, such as painkillers,” said Dr Bharti.

“In children, vaccinations can be given simultaneously, but in adults, care should be taken. It is recommended to take one vaccine, wait for a reaction, and if everything is alright, another vaccine can be taken. Following immunization, be mindful of typical side effects that are normal, such as injection site soreness, chills, or mild fever. It is advised to remain at the immunization facility for 15 to 30 minutes to observe any potential bad reactions right away,” the expert added.

Dr Bharti also said that it is critical to keep your nutrition and hydration in check. Maintaining proper hydration enhances general health and primes the body to react favourably to the vaccination. Aim for a balanced lunch before the session to maintain consistent energy levels and prevent any potential light-headedness.

Dr. Subhendu Mohanty, Senior Consultant- Cardiology, ShardaCare – Healthcity, on the other hand, revealed that this is a rare occurrence, yet likely to occur.

While the details of this particular case are not known, reactions to vaccines, though rare, are known to occur. In the present age, many vaccines have been specifically made to give protection against multiple diseases. The vaccine has antigens or attenuated organisms that elicit an immune response in the body. The carrier particles can cause reactions in some patients. This is usually due to sensitivity (commonly termed as allergy) to these particles. A vaccine reaction is unpredictable and is a matter of chance. But in some people, it can be very severe and possibly life-threatening. That is the reason why all individuals being vaccinated are advised a short duration of observation post-vaccination.