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Welcome

Celebrating Over 80 Years Of Service!

The American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (AAOA) represents over 2,700 Board-certified otolaryngologists and health care providers. Otolaryngology, frequently referred to as Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT), uniquely combines medical and surgical expertise to care for patients with a variety of conditions affecting the ears, nose, and throat, as well as commonly related conditions. AAOA members devote part of their practice to the diagnosis and treatment of allergic disease. The AAOA actively supports its membership through education, research, and advocacy in the care of allergic patients.

"Advance the comprehensive management of allergy and inflammatory disease in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery through training, education, and advocacy."

AAOA Member Benefits

  • Up to 60% discount for CME programs and free Annual Meeting. All AAOA’s CME programs meet ABOTOHNS Continuing Certification.
  • AAOA US ENT Affinity program, where AAOA members can gain savings on antigen, allergy supplies, and any of the other 5 service lines US ENT offers. For more email info@usentpartners.com.
  • Tools and resources to comply with US General Chapter 797 and practice management tools.
  • Advocacy support.
  • And much more! Learn More

ADVOCACY UPDATES

Your AAOA at the AMA

I want to urge you to consider membership in the AMA because your membership in…

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Fall Advocacy Update: USP 797, E/M Documentation and Payment

Revisions to USP Chapter 797 Open for Comment Since the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) released…

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Brief Update on the Final CY 2019 Physician Fee Schedule

On November 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released the final Physician Fee…

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Upcoming Dates

04/01/24: Fellow Exam Application Deadline
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06/01/24: Research Grant Cycle
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06/25/24: Membership Application Deadline to be eligible for AAOA Member rate for the 2024 Basic Course

08/02/24: Scientific Abstract Submission Deadline
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12/01/24: Research Grant Cycle
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EDUCATION

AAOA Advanced Course

The recorded course content is available until April 30, 2024. This year’s Advanced Course featured Laryngology and Skull Base Surgery with Nausheen Jamal, MD and Garret Choby, MD as featured faculty.

RESIDENTS

For information about Resident membership, opportunities, DosedDaily, research grants, and other resources. Learn More

IFAR

Available Now

aaoaf-ifar

IFAR Impact Factor: 2.454

IFAR Featured Content: COVID-19 - Free Access
Endonasal instrumentation and aerosolization risk in the era of COVID‐19: simulation, literature review, and proposed mitigation strategies . Read More

Changes in Managing Practices

Working together with AAOA staff, volunteer leadership and members will enable us to have a positive impact on our members’ practices.

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Live and Online CME

2024 AAOA Advanced Course in Allergy & Immunology - Hybrid
On-Demand Content Access Deadline:
April 30, 2024
Learn More and Register

2024 AAOA Basic Course in Allergy & Immunology - Hybrid
July 25-27, 2024
The Diplomat, Hollywood, Florida
Learn More and Register

2024 AAOA Annual Meeting - Hybrid
November 8-10, 2024
Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas
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USP 797 Online Module
Learn More and Register

AAOA Educational Stacks
Next Availability - April 1, 2024

News and Updates

A Message From The AAOA President Michael Platt, MD, FAAOA

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United Agrees To Give Physicians ERISA Rights in Connection with Repayment Demands

Bottom line Recent class action settlement gives all out-of-network (“ONET”) physicians important – and often overlooked –…

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College Allergy Symptoms Treatment Back to Shcool

PRACTICE RESOURCES

AAOA Practice Resource Tool Kit

The American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (AAOA) Practice Resource Tool Kit is intended as a guide to help AAOA members integrate allergy into their otolaryngology practice and to continually improve on this integration as new information, regulations, and resources become available.

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PARTNER RESOURCE CENTER

AAOA has launched a Partner Resource Center to bring you partner resources that can assist your practice and patient care.

Visit the New Center>

PATIENT CORNER

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ

With the advent of the vaccine comes new questions and concerns. To help you address those with your staff and patients, AAOA has outlined some FAQs and resource links.

We will continue to update this FAQ as more information becomes available.

FAQs

  • Can I receive the vaccine if I am on allergy immunotherapy?

Reactions to vaccines are rare.  Incidence of anaphylaxis is estimated at 1.31 in 1 million doses. That said, given that anaphylactic reactions have been reported, the CDC considers a history of mild-to-severe allergic reaction to any vaccine or injectable therapy (e.g., intramuscular, intravenous, or subcutaneous) as a precaution, but not a contraindication. A risk assessment should be conducted and the patient should be counseled on the unknown risks of a severe allergic reaction balanced against the benefits of the vaccination.

Guidance from the FDA and CDC offers the following:

  1. The mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should be administered in a healthcare setting
  2. Patients should be observed for 15-30 post injection to monitor for any adverse reactions
  3. All anaphylactic reactions should be managed immediately with IM epinephrine as the first line treatment
  4. If a patient has a reaction to the first shot, the CDC recommends they should not get the second shot.
  5. The mRNA vaccine should not be administered to anyone with known history of severe reactions to any component of the vaccine.
  6. While the specific vaccine component triggering anaphylaxis is not yet known, polyethylene glycol is an ingredient known to cause anaphylaxis
  7. While data is limited and continues to evolve related to risk in individuals with a history of vaccine-related reactions or mast cell activation syndrome/idiopathic anaphylaxis, clinical decisions regarding vaccine administration should balance risks and benefits associated with the vaccine
  8. Patients with common allergies to medications, foods, inhalants, insects, and latex are no more likely than the general public to have an allergic reaction to the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.  Counseling these patients on the benefits versus risks is recommended.
  9. The mRNA COVID-19 is not a live vaccine.  It can be administered to immunocompromised patients. Physicians should inform these patients of the possibility of diminished immune response to the vaccine. 
  • Can I receive the COVID vaccine when I come in for my allergy shot?

CDC recommendations are to avoid any other vaccinations for 14 days prior to or after the COVID vaccines (SARS-CoV-2 vaccine).  Expert opinion is unclear whether immunotherapy should be avoided in the 14 day pre- and post- COVID vaccination window.  If immunotherapy is not included in that restriction, it would still be wise to give both injections on different days, however, to track specific reactions appropriately.   

  • What if I have had COVID?

CDC recommends deferring vaccination for 90 days after receiving convalescent plasma or monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19.  CDC also recommends waiting until symptoms subside.

  • What symptoms should I watch for post vaccination?

You may expect pain, swelling, erythema at the injection site, localized axillary lymphadenopathy on the same side as the vaccinated arm, as well as fever, fatigue, headache, chills, myalgia, arthralgia.  Most symptoms are mild-to-moderate and occur within three days.  The symptoms are more frequent at the second dose.

Antipyretic or analgesic medications (e.g., acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may be taken for the treatment of post-vaccination local or systemic symptoms, if medically appropriate. However, routine prophylactic administration of these medications for the purpose of preventing post-vaccination symptoms is not currently recommended, as information on the impact of such use on mRNA COVID-19 vaccine-induced antibody responses is not available at this time.

  • What if I am on biologic therapy?  

Patients who take immunosuppressive medications or therapies might be at increased risk for severe COVID-19. Data are not currently available to establish vaccine safety and efficacy in these groups. 

Immunocompromised individuals may still receive COVID-19 vaccination if they have no contraindications to vaccination. However, they should be counseled about the unknown vaccine safety profile and effectiveness in immunocompromised populations, as well as the potential for reduced immune responses and the need to continue to follow all current guidance to protect themselves against COVID-19 (see below).

Resources:

CDC COVID-19 Vaccines

COVID-19 Vaccine Physician

Patient FAQs

 What Physicians Need to Know webinars on the topics of vaccine safety, supply and distribution / https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/covid-19-what-physicians-need-know-webinar-series

McNeil MM, Weintraub ES, Duffy J, et al. Risk of anaphylaxis after vaccination in children and adults. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2016; 137(3):868-878.

Dreskin et al. International Consensus (ICON): allergic reactions to vaccines. World Allergy Organization Journal 2016; 9:32.

Wylon, K., Dölle, S. & Worm, M. Polyethylene glycol as a cause of anaphylaxis. J Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 1267 (2016).

Stone CA, Liu Y, et al. Immediate Hypersensitivity to Polyethylene Glycols and Polysorbates: More Common Than We Have Recognized.  J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2019; 7(5): 1533–1540.

Sellaturay P, et al, Polyethylene Glycol–Induced Systemic Allergic Reactions (Anaphylaxis), J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2020.

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