So you want a medical exemption for the COVID vaccine? Your employer is mandating it and you feel you have valid medical reasons not to get one? There are limited circumstances under which a doctor can write you a medical exemption.
A lot of patients request vaccine exemptions, but a doctor cannot issue one unless it falls under one of 4 categories, coming directly from the CDC website and handout updated 3/7/22, and an additional 5th criteria drawn from that information.
Note: Quotes from the CDC are inserted throughout. My comments are in italics. They are my opinion only and based on my experience only. To read the full handout, see the following link: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/downloads/summary-interim-clinical-considerations.pdf.
1. ”Severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose or to a component of the COVID-19 vaccine.”
This means you had an allergic reaction to a COVID vaccine or a vaccine component in the past that is documented. See the specific components that are the most common issues under #2 below.
Example: A patient has an allergy to the Pfizer vaccine and requests an exemption. This exemption will be granted.
2. “History of a known diagnosed allergy to a component of the COVID-19 vaccine.”
This includes PEG (polyethylene glycol), which is contained in Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines, and Polysorbate 80, which is included in the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
Example: A patient has swelling of the face after using a shampoo known to contain PEG. The patient was advised that the allergy was due to PEG. This patient will be given an exemption.
3. “Contraindication to one type of COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA) is a precaution to other types of COVID-19 vaccines (Janssen/Johnson and Johnson).”
If you have a reaction to any of these (PEG or Polysorbate 80) there is much cross-reactivity, so receiving ANY of the vaccines is contraindicated (i.e. to be avoided – don’t take any further COVID vaccines unless future products are deemed to be safe for patients who reacted to the first vaccines).
4. “For the Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine, TTS following receipt of a previous Janssen vaccine (or other COVID-19 vaccines not currently authorized in the United States that are based on adenovirus vectors, e.g., AstraZeneca)”
This applies for those who may have received a different COVID vaccine outside the United States.
5. Lastly, if there is a strong family history (which I define as being in a first degree relative – children, siblings, parents) of any of the above (1-4), I will strongly consider writing an exemption for that person.
Example: A patient’s mother develops a blood clot deemed due to COVID vaccination and requests they avoid receiving the vaccine. Another patient’s brother has a heart attack in his 30’s after receiving COVID vaccination and requests they be given an exemption. This is a grey area as its not in the CDC direct guidelines. But, in my view, in most of these cases the risks far outweigh the benefits to a person in this situation.
I hope this helps. I have added NM, NY, FL, and AR medical licenses since my last note. Current Licenses (35): AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, ID, IA, IL, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, MT, ND, NH, NM, NV, NE, NY, OH, OK, PA, SD, TN, UT, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY.
As a reminder, we do take most insurance, including Medicare with secondaries.
Be well.
Dr. J
For those wanting to become a new telemedicine patient, visit https://jensenfamilywellness.comnewpatients/ for a step-by-step guide on getting started. Feel free to explore our website or visit our FAQ page for any questions you may have about insurance, rates, prescriptions, and Medici app troubleshooting. If you have received quality care from Dr. Jensen, we invite you to leave us a review on our Facebook page or on our Google profile. Thank you for being a patient of Jensen Family Wellness!