Global study links COVID-19 vaccines to heart, brain disorders

Researchers at the Global Vaccine Data Network, the research arm of the World Health Organization, found that COVID-19 vaccines increased the risk of 13 medical conditions considered “adverse events of special interest,” the journal reported.

The study of 99 million vaccinated people from eight countries: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, New Zealand and Scotland, reported that people who received certain types of mRNA vaccines had a higher risk of myocarditis. There is inflammation of the heart muscle.

key findings

Rare cases of myocarditis—inflammation of the heart—identified in the first, second, and third doses of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna’s mRNA vaccines: The highest rates were seen after the second dose of the Moderna vaccine (with 6.1 times the expected rates), Forbes reported, citing the study.

Pericarditis (another heart condition): The risk of pericarditis increased by 6.9 times in individuals who received the third dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The study reported that the risk increased by 1.7 times and 2.6 times among those who received the first and fourth doses of Moderna, respectively.

The study also reported that those who received the AstraZeneca shot had a higher risk of developing a rare autoimmune disorder — Guillain-Barré syndrome — and 3.2 times the risk of developing blood clots.

Disseminated encephalomyelitis: The study also reported that the risk of developing the neurological disorder acute disseminated encephalomyelitis was 3.8 times higher after taking the Moderna vaccine, and the risk increased 2.2 times after taking the AstraZeneca vaccine.

However, experts stressed that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the risks. He said the chances of neurological events or heart inflammation are significantly higher after COVID-19 infection rather than after receiving a COVID-19 shot.

“The likelihood of all these adverse events when infected with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is still very high, so getting vaccinated is still the safe option,” said Jacob Glanville, CEO of biotechnology company Centivax. Not involved in the study, Forbes reported.

separately, A parallel study conducted on a smaller group of people (207) by Christian Medical College, Vellore (Tamil Nadu) during the first wave of the pandemic said that those who survived COVID-19 in India were Suffered more lung and respiratory problems than Europeans and Chinese. counterparts, News 18 reports.

The study reported that while most people recovered within a year of Covid-19 infection, others suffered permanent damage to their lungs.

“In a large Indian cohort, we have reported the presence of residual lung damage after COVID-19, based on lung function tests, exercise capacity, chest radiography and quality of life measurements. Compared to most published studies, our population reported comparatively higher symptomatology and comorbidities and greater lung function impairment. “We have shown that lung damage following COVID-19 results in significant impairment of lung function, quality of life, and exercise tolerance,” the study said.

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Published: Feb 21, 2024, 06:58 PM IST