Scientists discover why COVID vaccine causes chronic illness in some
What's the story
A team of researchers from Yale University has found clues regarding why a small percentage of people experience chronic symptoms after COVID vaccination, which they have dubbed "post-vaccination syndrome (PVS)."
The condition, which is characterized by chronic symptoms like excessive fatigue, brain fog, and dizziness, affects a small percentage of people after getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
The symptoms usually appear within days of vaccination and can worsen over time.
Research findings
Study reveals immunological patterns linked to PVS
The Yale research team examined blood samples of 42 PVS patients and 22 asymptomatic individuals.
The study found that those suffering from PVS had lower levels of two types of white blood cells.
Additionally, PVS patients who had never contracted COVID-19 also had lower antibody levels against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, probably due to receiving fewer vaccine doses.
PVS indicators
Spike protein levels and PVS risk factors
The study also found that some people with PVS had higher levels of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, a factor linked to a higher risk of long COVID.
However, not all participants with PVS exhibited detectable spike protein levels.
The research proposed other possible risk factors for developing PVS, including autoimmunity, tissue damage, and reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus.
Research progression
Call for further research on PVS
Dr. Akiko Iwasaki, co-senior author of the study and Sterling Professor of Immunobiology at Yale School of Medicine, stressed that their findings are preliminary and need further validation.
"This work is still in its early stages," she said.
Dr. Harlan Krumholz, another co-senior author of the study, highlighted the need to understand PVS through rigorous scientific investigation to aid those affected by this condition.
Spike protein
Persistent spike protein presence in vaccinated individuals
Dr. Marc Siegel from NYU Langone Health confirmed that a small percentage of vaccinated people suffering from prolonged side effects might have persistent spike protein presence.
He noted immune disruptions such as elevated inflammatory immune cells and decreased CD4 helper cells in such cases.
"This needs to be further studied in terms of understanding how common prolonged COVID vaccine side effects are and how to predict them and treat them," he added.