Vertigo/dizziness following COVID-19 vaccination

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Immunology
• Vaccinology

Background:

• COVID-19 vaccination is crucial for public health.
• Adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) require careful monitoring.
• Vertigo and dizziness are potential neurological side effects of vaccines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the occurrence and characteristics of vertigo/dizziness in patients post-COVID-19 vaccination.
• To compare the onset of post-vaccination dizziness with pre-existing dizziness episodes.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 50 patients experiencing dizziness post-COVID-19 vaccination (AZ, BNT, Moderna) was studied.
• The time from vaccination to dizziness onset was compared to the patients' historical inter-episodic dizziness intervals.
• Data were collected between July 2021 and June 2022.

Main Results:

• Incidences of severe systemic complications per 10^6 doses were reported for Moderna (0.86), AZ (1.22), and BNT (1.23).
• Post-vaccination vertigo/dizziness rates varied: Moderna (66%), AZ (20%), and BNT (14%).
• The median time to dizziness onset post-vaccination was 10 days, significantly shorter than the historical inter-episodic interval (84 days).

Conclusions:

• Post-vaccination vertigo/dizziness can manifest as an exacerbation of pre-existing neurotological conditions.
• The median onset of 10 days aligns with the immune response timeline.
• Supportive treatment yields favorable outcomes, reinforcing the importance of COVID-19 vaccination.