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Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination and PIMS-TS-Friends or Foe? Case Reports and Literature Review
Violetta Opoka-Winiarska1, Izabela Morawska-Michalska2, Paulina Mertowska3
1Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Rheumatology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland.
Insights
Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS-TS or MIS-C) can occur after SARS-CoV-2 infection. COVID-19 vaccination safety in these children is under investigation, with most cases showing safe vaccination post-illness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection (PIMS-TS), or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), is an immune overreaction post-COVID-19.
- The exact cause of PIMS-TS/MIS-C remains unclear.
- Clinical debate exists regarding the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in children with a history of PIMS-TS/MIS-C.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and potential adverse events of COVID-19 vaccination in children previously diagnosed with PIMS-TS/MIS-C.
- To contribute multi-center experiences to the understanding of PIMS-TS/MIS-C and vaccination.
Main Methods:
- Case series presentation of four patients with PIMS-TS/MIS-C.
- Review and discussion of multi-center data regarding PIMS-TS/MIS-C and COVID-19 vaccination.
- Clinical observation of vaccination outcomes in affected children.
Main Results:
- Three out of four reported patients with PIMS-TS/MIS-C were safely vaccinated against COVID-19 after their illness.
- One patient experienced PIMS-TS/MIS-C temporally associated with COVID-19 vaccination.
- Collected data from multiple centers are discussed.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 vaccination appears safe for most children with a history of PIMS-TS/MIS-C.
- Further investigation is warranted to understand the rare instances of PIMS-TS/MIS-C associated with vaccination.
- Multi-center data are crucial for informing clinical guidelines on PIMS-TS/MIS-C and vaccination.
Abstract:
Pediatric inflammatory, multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection (PIMS-TS), also known as a multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), is diagnosed in children who develop an inadequate inflammatory response after exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The pathogenesis of the abnormal response of the immune system to a previous SARS-COV-2 infection has not been explained. Similarly, the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccinations in this group of patients have become the subject of clinical discussion. Presenting experiences from many centers aims to answer this question. We present 4 cases of patients who suffered from PIMS-TS. Three of them were safely vaccinated against COVID-19 after illness. One patient developed PIMS-TS temporarily associated with COVID-19 vaccination. We also collected and discussed data from other centers.
