If you're fighting allergies and may be afraid to get the COVID-19 vaccine, a local doctor wants to alleviate your fears.

Dr. Philip Hemmers, an allergy specialist with the Allergy Center of Connecticut, says he wants to assure his patients and everyone that the vaccines are safe to take with allergy medications.

"There are some definite risk factors for allergic reactions to the vaccine, however they're very unlikely events. An overwhelming majority of patients, no matter what allergy they have, no matter how severe are going to be OK with the vaccine," he says.

Hemmers says 40% of Americans have some allergy, but the pandemic, believe it or not, in some cases has helped them.

“Even our patients that have environmental allergy and pollen allergy, they have improvement either 'cause they're staying indoors more or they're wearing a mask more,” he says.

He says if you are experiencing any kind of allergic reactions or skin rashes you should see your physician.