Neurologic adverse events among 704,003 first-dose recipients of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in Mexico: A nationwide descriptive study

Clin Immunol. 2021 Aug:229:108786. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2021.108786. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Abstract

mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are remarkably effective. Limited information exists about the incidence of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) with their use. We conducted a prospective observational study including data from 704,003 first-doses recipients; 6536 AEFI were reported, of whom 65.1% had at least one neurologic AEFI (non-serious 99.6%). Thirty-three serious events were reported; 17 (51.5%) were neurologic (observed frequency, 2.4/100,000 doses). At the time of writing this report, 16/17 cases had been discharged without deaths. Our data suggest that the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is safe; its individual and societal benefits outweigh the low percentage of serious neurologic AEFI. This information should help to dissipate hesitancy towards this new vaccine platform.

Keywords: Adverse event; BNT162b2; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccine.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • BNT162 Vaccine
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control*
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / adverse effects*
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / immunology*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Nervous System Diseases / epidemiology
  • Nervous System Diseases / etiology*
  • Prospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / immunology
  • mRNA Vaccines

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Vaccines, Synthetic
  • BNT162 Vaccine