Observational retrospective analysis of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 and seizures: VACCI-COVID registry

Martinez-Fernandez, Isabel; Sánchez-Larsen, Álvaro; Gonzalez-Villar, Esther; Martínez-Martín, Álvaro; Quednow, Enzo von; Valle-Pérez, José Antonio Del; Andrés-López, Alberto; Restrepo-Carvajal, Laura Carolina; Cuenca-Juan, Fernando; Ballesta-García, Marina; Sopelana, David

doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108808

Cited by 8 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Except for racial differences, the cohorts in the present and previous studies that investigated seizure worsening after vaccination were comparable; conversely, the vaccine intake rates and types of vaccines used differed among studies [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] . However, the incidence rate of seizure worsening following SARS-CoV2 mRNA vaccination in previous studies varied from 6 to 7.65% [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] , which is comparable to or slightly higher than our findings. Seizures also reportedly worsened after vaccination with vaccines other than SARS-CoV2 mRNA [13] , [14] .…”

Section: Comparison With Previous Studies and Strength Of Our Datamentioning

confidence: 46%

“…We recorded seizures during routine visits by interviewing patients using “closed questions.” However, we did not use special phone calls or a special diary. The period of 1 week was set as the observational period following the recent relevant studies, i.e., while the period ranged from 1 week to 90 days after vaccination, most of seizure worsening was visible during the first 7 days after vaccination [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] .…”

Section: Seizure Worsening Following Vaccination and 6-month Outcomesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent studies have investigated the association between the COVID-19 vaccine and epileptic seizures [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] . They demonstrated that seizure exacerbations were observed after vaccination in 6.0% to 7.65% of PWE, suggesting that the risk of seizure exacerbations and adverse events did not outweigh the benefit of the infection-prevention effect of vaccination.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, little data are available concerning the medium- to long-term effects of vaccination on seizures. Given that PWE are a clinically diverse population, the effect of vaccination on seizures must be investigated based on multiple clinical epileptic parameters that have not been previously investigated [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] . Seizure exacerbation following vaccination other than the COVID-19 vaccine has also been demonstrated [13] , [14] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Immediate and 6-month seizure outcomes following first and second SARS-CoV2 mRNA vaccinations: A multicenter study with a nationwide survey

Nonaka¹,

Neshige²,

Yamada³

et al. 2023

Epilepsy & Behavior

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Section: Comparison With Previous Studies and Strength Of Our Datamentioning

confidence: 46%

Section: Seizure Worsening Following Vaccination and 6-month Outcomesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Immediate and 6-month seizure outcomes following first and second SARS-CoV2 mRNA vaccinations: A multicenter study with a nationwide survey

Nonaka¹,

Neshige²,

Yamada³

et al. 2023

Epilepsy & Behavior

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Various studies have demonstrated that there is no significant effect of COVID vaccines on seizure frequency in patients with epilepsy. Such studies demonstrate that COVID-19 vaccines have a good safety and tolerability profile in the short term, in patients with epilepsy though there is high levels of vaccine hesitancy amongst these patients [ 74 ••, 75 •, 76 – 78 ]. A UK survey noted that in most people with Dravet syndrome, SARS-CoV-2 vaccine does not appear to be associated with an increase in the frequency or duration of seizures, even in those who develop fever post-vaccination [ 79 •].…”

Section: Covid-19 Vaccination and Pre-existing Or New-onset Cns Demye...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurological Complications Following COVID-19 Vaccination

Chatterjee

Chakravarty

2022

Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep

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Purpose of Review A variety of neurological complications have been reported following the widespread use of the COVID-19 vaccines which may lead to vaccine hesitancy and serve as a major barrier to the public health aim of achieving protective herd immunity by vaccination. In this article, we review the available evidence regarding these neurological adverse events reported, to provide clarity regarding the same so that unfounded fears maybe put to rest. Recent Findings There is a greater than expected occurrence of severe neurological adverse events such as cortical sinus venous thrombosis, Bell’s palsy, transverse myelitis, and Guillain–Barré syndromes along with other common effects such as headaches following different kinds of COVID-19 vaccination. Precipitation of new onset demyelinating brain lesions with or without detection of specific antibodies and worsening of pre-existing neurological disorders (like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis) are also a matter of great concern though no conclusive evidence implicating the vaccines is available as of now. Summary The COVID-19 pandemic is far from being over. Till such time that a truly effective anti-viral drug is discovered, or an appropriate therapeutic strategy is developed, COVID-appropriate behavior and highly effective mass vaccination remain the only weapons in our armamentarium to fight this deadly disease. As often occurs with most therapeutic means for the treatment and prevention of any disease, vaccination against COVID-19 has its hazards. These range from the most trivial ones like fever, local pain and myalgias to several potentially serious cardiac and neurological complications. The latter group includes conditions like cerebral venous thrombosis (curiously often with thrombocytopenia), transverse myelitis and acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy amongst others. Fortunately, the number of reported patients with any of these serious complications is far too low for the total number of people vaccinated. Hence, the current evidence suggests that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risk of these events in majority of the patients. As of now, available evidence also does not recommend withholding vaccination in patients with pre-existing neurological disorders like epilepsy and MS, though adenoviral vaccines should be avoided in those with history of thrombotic events.

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Association of seizure with COVID‐19 vaccines in persons with epilepsy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Rafati,

Jameie,

Amanollahi

et al. 2023

Journal of Medical Virology

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Seizure aggravation following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccines is a major cause behind vaccine hesitancy among persons with epilepsy (PwE), resulting in lower immunization rates. We systematically reviewed seizure‐activity‐related events in PwE following COVID‐19 vaccination. We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library, until January 31, 2023, and included articles reporting seizure activity‐related events in PwE receiving COVID‐19 vaccination. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses were followed. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022312475). Outcomes included pooled incidence proportions of (a) increased seizure frequency, (b) status epilepticus (SE), and (c) change in seizure type. Of the 2207 studies, 16 entered the meta‐analysis. The pooled incidence proportion of increased seizure frequency (16 studies‐3245 PwE) was 5% (95% CI: 3%−7%, I2 = 52%). Regarding increased seizure frequency, no significant difference was observed between mRNA and viral vector (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.49−2.52, I2 = 0%), and between mRNA and inactivated virus (OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 0.27−9.37; I2 = 0%). The pooled incidence proportion of SE (15 studies‐2387 PwE) was 0.08% (95% CI: 0.02%−0.33%, I2 = 0%). Ultimately, the pooled incidence proportion of change in seizure type (7 studies‐1172 PwE) was 1% (95% CI: 1%−2%, I2 = 0%). The meta‐analysis revealed post‐COVID‐19‐vaccination increased seizure frequency in 5% of PwE, with no difference between mRNA and viral vector or inactivated virus vaccines. Furthermore, we found 0.08% and 1% incidence proportions for postvaccination SE and change in seizure type, respectively. While noteworthy, these values are far less than reports for COVID‐19 infection, emphasizing vaccination importance in preventing COVID‐19 consequences in PwE.

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Observational retrospective analysis of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 and seizures: VACCI-COVID registry

Cited by 8 publications

References 27 publications

Immediate and 6-month seizure outcomes following first and second SARS-CoV2 mRNA vaccinations: A multicenter study with a nationwide survey

Immediate and 6-month seizure outcomes following first and second SARS-CoV2 mRNA vaccinations: A multicenter study with a nationwide survey

Neurological Complications Following COVID-19 Vaccination

Association of seizure with COVID‐19 vaccines in persons with epilepsy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

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