COVID arm as a common cutaneous manifestation after mRNA-1273 vaccination: a systematic review

Abstract

Background By August 2022, CoronaVirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) had caused 600 million illnesses and 6.5 million fatalities globally. A massive vaccination program is being implemented worldwide to suppress this condition. Several works of literature stated that mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, specifically with the mRNA-1273 vaccine, is followed by clear evidence of the COVID arm effects associated with this vaccine. Objective To analyze the latest evidence of COVID arm as a common effect of mRNA-1273 vaccination with the ultimate goal of improving vaccine counseling to help healthcare professionals and reassure patients. Methods A comprehensive search was performed on topics that assess the COVID arm as a cutaneous manifestation following mRNA-1273 vaccination from inception up until July 2022. Results Eighteen studies with a total of 1129 participants after the first and second dose of mRNA-1273 vaccination reported that most participants had COVID arm following the first dose administration. The characteristics of the patients were a mean age of 43.8 years old, and females represented ≥ 50% in most studies, with a mean onset of 6.9 days after the first dose administration. Symptoms resolved within seven days following the treatment and were harmless. Conclusions This study found that the COVID arm condition is most common following the first mRNA-1273 vaccination in the female and middle-aged group. The correlation between demographic variables and COVID arm risk elucidates that the reaction is a type IV allergic skin reaction.

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy with Diplopia Caused by an Alternative Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine

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The mRNA-LNP vaccines – the good, the bad and the ugly?

“…The Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program(CICP) data show that out of a total of 13,406 CICP claims ever filed, 12,854 were COVID-19 countermeasure claims, out of which 9,682 allege injuries/deaths from COVID-19 vaccines ( 50 ). Peer-reviewed case reports, including but not limited to severe inflammatory/autoimmune events of bone marrow ( 51 – 55 ), liver ( 56 – 58 ), skin ( 59 – 64 ), cardiovascular- ( 65 – 77 ), musculoskeletal- ( 76 , 78 , 79 ), endocrine- ( 80 – 84 ), and nervous system ( 66 , 84 – 87 ), etc. that sometimes had been fatal, have been steadily increasing.…”

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“…Inflammation mediated by cytokines is indeed the cornerstone of vaccine reactogenicity resulting in loco-regional or systemic symptoms. Regarding local reactions at the site of injection, they might occasionally be severe enough to mimic cellulitis caused by an infectious agent; a condition denominated the “COVID-19 arm” ( 12 ). Reactive lymphadenopathy affecting lymph nodes draining the injection site should also be mentioned as it might mimic metastasis in oncologic patients ( 13 ).…”