On February 19, researchers at Yale uploaded a preprint study about “post-COVID vaccination syndrome,” an extremely rare collection of symptoms including fatigue, brain fog, and nerve damage that occur after COVID-19 vaccination. Some people with the condition also showed signs of reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mono. This is similar to how the varicella-zoster virus that causes chickenpox can be reactivated to cause shingles. The small study included 42 individuals with the condition and 22 controls. Nearly two-thirds of the study participants—and 45 percent of the controls—had previous COVID-19 infections. The paper quickly sparked widespread social media attention, particularly from anti-vaccine accounts. Many posts misrepresented the study, falsely claiming that the non-peer-reviewed study of 42 people proves that COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe and caused widespread harm, with some comparing post-COVID vaccination syndrome to AIDS. Several posts speculated that long COVID is actually “long vax” and is caused by vaccines.
Recommendation
False and misleading claims about rare potential vaccine side effects often lead to hesitancy, particularly for vaccines as steeped in controversy and conspiracy theories as COVID-19 vaccines. Talking points may explain that a recent study about post-COVID vaccination syndrome is very small, with only 42 participants, and has not been peer-reviewed. Additionally, the study’s authors emphasized that it should not affect people’s decision to vaccinate. Debunking messaging may emphasize that long COVID is a real condition that affects millions of people and is caused by COVID-19 infection.
Fact-checking sources: Unbiased Science, STAT News
