A recent study conducted by the Korean COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Research Committee (CoVaSC) has identified a significant safety signal linking COVID-19 vaccinations to an increased risk of acute transverse myelitis (ATM), a rare but serious spinal cord inflammation.
Published in the European Journal of Neurology the study found a 141% higher risk of developing ATM within 42 days of vaccination, highlighting concerns across all vaccine platforms, including AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.
ATM disrupts nerve signals in the spinal cord, potentially causing pain, paralysis, sensory issues, or bladder and bowel dysfunction. While many recover partially with treatment, severe cases can result in permanent disabilities.
The study analysed data from a large Korean database spanning 2002 to 2022, identifying 159 cases of ATM linked to COVID-19 vaccines. Notably, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines were associated with a more than 230% increased risk, while Pfizer and Moderna vaccines presented risks of 99% and 157% respectively.
Epidemiologist Nicolas Hulscher, MPH, emphasised the importance of ongoing research into vaccine safety, stating, “This study contributes to the growing body of evidence on serious adverse effects associated with COVID-19 vaccines.”
While the increased risk would likely affect a small number of COVID vaccine recipients, the study authors pointed out it was another concern which contributed to the overall safety profile of the mRNA gene therapy products.
“This nationwide population-based SCCS study identified a significant increase in the incidence of ATM within 1–42 days following COVID-19 vaccination. This elevated risk was consistent across various subgroups, including different types of vaccine products and patients with CCI scores >5. Our findings contribute to the ongoing debate on the safety profiles of COVID-19 vaccines by providing evidence of potential neurological complications.”
Image credit: CHUTTERSNAP
