Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 17, 2025 3 hours, 55 minutes ago
Medical News: Since the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, medical experts have closely monitored various side effects. Among these, vascular injuries such as petechiae, purpura, and ecchymosis have raised concerns. A new systematic review conducted by researchers from multiple institutions, including Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, and the University of Calgary-Canada, explores these occurrences and their potential links to vaccination.
Potential Link Between COVID-19 Vaccination and Vascular Injuries
This
Medical News report highlights case studies of unusual bleeding and bruising that have surfaced in some individuals after vaccination. These cases are not overwhelmingly common, they warrant further investigation to understand possible connections and to ensure patient safety.
Key Findings from the Study
Researchers analyzed data from 35 studies involving individuals who experienced vascular injuries after receiving COVID-19 vaccines such as Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Janssen. The review included cases of severe conditions like thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), acquired hemophilia A, and vasculitis.
Findings revealed that most cases occurred after the first vaccine dose, with symptoms appearing anywhere from a few hours to three weeks later. The most common symptoms included:
-Petechiae (small red or purple spots on the skin due to bleeding)
-Purpura (larger purple-colored skin patches)
-Ecchymosis (bruising that appears without any known injury)
The study also found that the lower extremities were the most frequently affected areas. Interestingly, none of the patients tested positive for COVID-19 at the time of their diagnosis, indicating that these vascular symptoms were not due to an active SARS-CoV-2 infection but potentially linked to the vaccine response.
Possible Mechanisms and Risks
Experts suggest that these vascular conditions could be caused by immune system reactions triggered by the vaccine. Similar responses have been observed after other vaccinations, such as those for influenza and pneumococcal infections.
Some researchers believe the vaccine may prompt an autoimmune response leading to decreased platelet counts and increased risk of bleeding disorders.
Certain pre-existing conditions may also play a role in susceptibility. Patients with a history of autoimmune diseases, blood disorders, or those taking medications that affect clotting could be at a higher risk of experiencing these adverse effects.
What This Means for Vaccine Safety
Despite these findings, the overall risk of developing such vascular injuries remains not that high. However, researchers emphasize the need for continued monitoring and post-vaccination surveillance to detect and address rare complications quickly.
F
or those who experience unexplained bruising, bleeding, or red skin patches after vaccination, seeking medical advice is crucial. Doctors can perform blood tests to assess platelet levels and coagulation functions, ensuring appropriate treatment if necessary.
Study Conclusions and Future Directions
The study suggests a possible but unconfirmed link between COVID-19 vaccines and vascular injuries, emphasizing the importance of further research. Future studies should focus on identifying specific risk factors, evaluating the immune response in affected individuals, and determining if certain vaccine formulations contribute more to these reactions than others.
While current evidence does not establish a direct causal relationship, vigilance is key. Healthcare providers should be aware of these potential adverse effects and inform patients, especially those with underlying health conditions, about warning signs.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Health Science Reports.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hsr2.70503
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Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-vaccine-causes-acquired-hemophilia-a-by-generating-autoantibodies-that-inhibit-coagulation-factors
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/northwestern-university-study-finds-that-covid-19-vaccines-do-not-prevent-neurological-symptoms-of-long-covid
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/high-prevalence-of-autoimmune-issues-found-in-those-with-post-acute-covid-vaccination-syndrome
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/vaccine-news
https://www.thailandmedical.news/pages/thailand_doctors_listings
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