Acute Vulvar Aphthous Ulceration After COVID-19 Vaccination: 3 Cases

J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2022 Apr 1;26(2):186-188. doi: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000657.

Abstract

Objective: We present a case series of acute vulvar aphthosis immediately following COVID-19 vaccination.

Materials and methods: We describe 3 cases of acute vulvar aphthosis following Pfizer Comirnaty BNT162b2 mRNA and AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 COVID-19 vaccination in adolescent girls.

Results: All patients developed vulvar aphthosis within a few days after receiving COVID-19 vaccination. The onset of vulvar aphthosis was observed to correlate with the dosing schedule known to produce the highest likelihood of adverse effects, first dose in AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and second dose in Pfizer Comirnaty BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Two patients required oral prednisolone and hospital admission for indwelling urinary catheterization due to urinary retention. Full disease resolution with no sequalae was achieved in all three patients.

Conclusions: Clinicians should be aware of the possible risk of vulvar aphthosis after COVID-19 vaccine administration. Nevertheless, its occurrence should not prevent affected patients from receiving future doses of COVID-19 vaccines, as the mortality and morbidity of COVID-19 infection significantly outweigh the risk of vulvar aphthosis recurrence.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • BNT162 Vaccine
  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / adverse effects
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • ChAdOx1 nCoV-19
  • Female
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • ChAdOx1 nCoV-19
  • BNT162 Vaccine