LONDON, United Kingdom – With more than 13.5 billion COVID vaccines administered globally in the past three years, a recent study published in the journal Vaccine has raised concerns about a small percentage of vaccinated individuals experiencing a higher risk of adverse events. The study, which analyzed data from 99 million vaccinated individuals across eight countries, specifically focused on adverse events linked to the Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca vaccines.
The researchers identified 13 specific conditions and found 190 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, traditionally associated with infections but also potentially linked to some vaccines. Additionally, they found 69 cases of a type of blood clot occurring in the brain. The study also revealed that both Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines were associated with instances of myocarditis, the inflammation of the heart muscle, occurring more frequently than expected after the first, second, and third doses.
It’s important to note that while the observed side effects occurred more than anticipated, they represent a tiny percentage of the millions of people who received the vaccines, which offers a clearer picture of the potential risk versus clinical benefit. The researchers stress the importance of evaluating the safety signals identified in the study in the context of their rarity, severity, and clinical relevance.
This new information may cause additional debate over the vaccines, adding to the existing partisanship surrounding the pandemic and its associated vaccines. The researchers have also noted the increase in vaccine hesitancy among Americans due to the pandemic and its associated partisanship, which could have significant public health consequences.