Although the COVID-19 vaccine is generally considered safe, some people experience long-term symptoms after vaccination, known as post-vaccination syndrome (PVS). Researchers at Yale University in the US have discovered specific immune patterns in such people in preliminary research that could potentially pave the way for effective treatments for this problem.
Co-author of the study and professor Akio Owasaki of the Yale School of Medicine says that the research is still in its early stages, and these findings need further confirmation. “However, it raises hope that we may find ways to diagnose and treat PVS in the future.
According to Yale experts, people with PVS may experience problems such as severe fatigue, weakness after physical activity, mental fog, insomnia, and dizziness. These symptoms usually appear a day or two after receiving the vaccine and can become more severe over time. “It is clear that some people are experiencing serious problems after vaccination,” said Harlan Krumholz, a professor of cardiology at Yale School of Medicine and co-author of the study. We must listen to them, to research them, and to find ways to help them.
The study analyzed blood samples from 42 people who reported symptoms of PVS, as well as 22 people who had no problems after vaccination. The results showed that people with PVS had lower levels of two types of white blood cells.
In addition, people who had not had COVID-19 and had received a lower dose of the vaccine also had lower levels of antibodies against the virus. According to experts, the lower vaccine dose and lack of Covid infection mean that their immune systems had fewer opportunities to fight the virus. Some people also had higher levels of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This protein helps the virus enter cells. This factor has also been linked to the risk of being affected by the effects of COVID-19 for a long time.
According to Dr. Owasaki, “We do not yet know whether the spike protein levels directly affect the symptoms of PVS. “The study also suggested that other possible causes of PVS could include autoimmunity, tissue damage, and reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Scientists say more research is needed to find better ways to diagnose and treat PVS.
