A report about the side effect of herpes zoster or “shingles” from the COVID-19 vaccination is currently circulating on the Internet and is causing uncertainty.
However, an analysis of reports submitted about side effects of the COVID-19 vaccination in relation to shingles did not trigger any risk signals. Fewer cases were reported to the Paul Ehrlich Institute than would have been statistically expected.
Shingles after COVID-19 vaccination
Swissmedic has listed shingles - caused by the herpes zoster virus - in its records on COVID-19 vaccination side effects. A total of 1,174 reports with 2,960 reactions were listed here.
“There have been 44 reported cases of herpes zoster, of which 26 were classified as serious, most of them due to medical reasons. Herpes zoster is caused by reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Primary infection with VZV leads to chickenpox. Risk factors for herpes zoster include immunosuppressive treatments, diabetes mellitus, female gender, psychological stress or mechanical injuries. The incidence of HZ increases with age from 3 per 1,000 in 40 to 50 year olds to 10 per 1000 in those over 80 years old. Those affected in the reported cases were on average 72 years old and the herpes zoster appeared between one and 43 days after vaccination. We are currently continuing to investigate whether there is a causal connection between the vaccinations and the occurrence of herpes zoster.”
Statement from a virologist
Virologist Alexander Kekulé explains a possible connection in his “Corona Compass” .
On the one hand, it explains the cause of shingles. This painful rash is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This is also what causes chickenpox. Once you come into contact with this virus, it remains in the body for the rest of its life, but is controlled and kept in check as best as possible by the immune system. The main risk factor for reactivation of the virus is a weakened immune system.
On the other hand, Kekulé explains the possible trigger of a COVID-19 vaccination:
“We assume that simply because the vaccine puts the entire immune system on alert against this one virus, it neglects its other tasks.
That's why it can no longer really keep the zoster virus in check and such side effects occur. This causes the zoster virus to be temporarily activated. It is at least a side effect where one must assume that - as soon as this acute reactogenicity has ended, i.e. after a few weeks at the latest - it will be over again. And that was it.”
It is therefore advisable to take it easy immediately after a COVID-19 vaccination. The vaccination stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against the coronavirus and is therefore busy, making many people slightly more susceptible to other pathogens.
No increased occurrence
In any case, dermatologists and family doctors are not observing an increased occurrence of shingles cases.
Uwe Schwichtenberg, Bremen dermatologist and board member of the Professional Association of German Dermatologists, reports: “I cannot confirm a really massive occurrence from my daily, normal treatment routine.”
Nor is there a general trend towards more cases of shingles since the start of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, adds Schwichtenberg.
Conclusion
Experts believe that the cause of these cases is that the immune system is busy producing antibodies after the COVID-19 vaccination.
It can therefore happen that the herpes zoster virus, which is responsible for shingles, is reactivated. In general, fewer cases of shingles have been reported to date than would have been statistically expected.
You might also be interested in: Voluntarily infected with Corona: Infection attempts via Telegram
Sources: MDR , Merkur , Kekulés Corona Compass , Health Portal Austria
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