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If team members are hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccination because of allergies, UVA Health has you covered. Team members from the Division of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology will be on hand in the COVID Clinic on Fridays, 1-3 p.m. Appointments for this time slot can be made in VaxTrax or by calling 434.297.4829.

With the availability of the COVID vaccine came hope, but also uncertainty, given the novel nature of some of the vaccines. The initial reports of allergic reactions to these vaccines added to the already heightened concern over the vaccines. The Allergy Division at UVA set up a drug allergy clinic for evaluation of patients deemed allergic to the vaccines or a component of them. A collaboration was formed with the COVID vaccine clinic for subsequent administration of the vaccine in these high-risk patients under Allergy oversight. 

“We were seeing patients through our clinic for a full evaluation before those patients were transferred to the COVID vaccine clinic,” says Timothy Kyin, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Medical Director of Allergy/Immunology. “Initially, this process was for people who were deemed as high-risk for reaction, people who had history of anaphylaxis, or anyone who felt like they needed a more formal evaluation before getting the COVID vaccine.” 

Allergy’s presence was well received by the COVID vaccine clinic team as well as the community members getting vaccinated. Kyin says providers wanted to expand UVA Health’s services to the broader population, to assist with vaccine hesitancy. “We've expanded our focus from high-risk patients to serving the larger community. We want to be a resource for patients who have any type of hesitancy. We wanted to let the UVA community know that we're at the COVID Clinic weekly, in case there's any concern for potential adverse reactions.”

If patients have specific concerns about getting the COVID vaccine and want a discussion, Kyin recommends that they set up an appointment in the allergy clinic prior to their COVID vaccine. They can typically be seen within two weeks so that there is no major delay in getting the COVID vaccine. 

Making Appointments, Receiving Feedback, and Allaying Fears

Michelle Sutton, RN, Manager, COVID Clinic, says that appointments for team members can be made by calling the call center or by using Vaxtrax. No one needs to use Epic to schedule these appointments. “When folks arrive on Friday afternoon, we will ask them if they have particular concerns about allergies and we will make the providers aware of such concerns.” Patients can always call the COVID clinic directly for questions, too, at 434.982.6843.

A patient with allergies recently provided positive feedback to UVA Health about their experience, saying, “I have alpha gal [a type of food allergy] and I was very nervous about getting the vaccine. I met a nurse named Darla and she put my allergy fears to rest. She also kept her eye on me the whole time I was there. She also would come by periodically to chat with me, which kept me from focusing on my fear of having an allergic response.”

Allergic reactions are rare, says Debbie-Ann Shirley, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Medical Director of the COVID clinic. “While we don't know when they'll occur, the COVID Clinic team is always prepared and ready to identify and deal with them if they arise.” 

Shirley is excited that the COVID Clinic has taken over this month as the new centralized location for the vaccination program. The clinic has been a front-runner in diagnostic testing and giving novel COVID therapies now adds the administration of COVID vaccines to the services provided. “I am grateful for the strong partnership with Dr. Kyin and our other UVA allergy specialists to offer this additional safety measure, as well as the ongoing support of UVA’s COVID Vaccine Program Coordinator, Rebecca Wade, RN, to help make vaccines accessible to everyone. I am proud of our team for helping to fight the pandemic in every way we can. Vaccines remain the most effective way to protect team members from COVID and even prevents severe illness from the new highly infectious delta variant.”

Sutton says that if patients want to call to schedule their appointment when an allergist is present, they should let the call center know of their concern and ask to be scheduled on Friday, from 1-3 p.m. “This gives our providers a heads up when they are in the clinic, not to necessarily go in and see them, but to be aware that a patient has particular concerns. This way, we know who we're looking out for.” 

Kyin agrees, saying, “We don’t hover over these patients, because we don't want to drive up their angst. But it's important for the patients to be reassured that there's a provider in house as support, if needed. We’re there for reassurance.”

COVID-19 vaccinations are available at UVA Health’s COVID Clinic on the first floor of the West Complex, located at 1300 Jefferson Park Ave. Appointments are required, and can be made by calling 434.297.4829 or by scheduling in VaxTrax for team members. Patients can schedule by calling the same number or on online at MyChart - Find a Doctor. Parking for the clinic is available in the Lee Street Garage and the 11th Street Garage.