"People with allergies can be vaccinated with Sputnik V. The only thing is, it should not be when the allergy is in an acute stage," Gintsburg said, as aired by the Rossiya 24 broadcaster.
"People with allergies should do blood tests for Immunoglobulin E and C-reactive protein — if they are within [the] norm, vaccination should not be a problem", Gintsburg said.
Meanwhile, Pfizer's vaccine contains RNA, which may be dangerous to people who suffer from allergies, the scientist said. The human body has a system of interferons, signalling proteins, that react strongly to foreign RNA, which could create complications for people with allergies who have an enhanced immune response, Gintsburg explained.
Previously, the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) warned people who have a history of "significant" allergic reactions not to take the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
