Scientists Describe Rare Syndrome Following Covid Vaccinations

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Scientists Describe Rare Syndrome Following Covid Vaccinations

In a small study, patients with the syndrome were more likely to experience reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus and high levels of a coronavirus protein.


Like people with long Covid, some with post-vaccination syndrome showed reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus, which is linked to mononucleosis, multiple sclerosis and other conditions. Matthew Busch for The New York Times

By Apoorva Mandavilli
Published Feb. 19, 2025
Updated Feb. 21, 2025
Leer en español

The Covid-19 vaccines were powerfully protective, preventing millions of deaths. But in a small number of people, the shots may have led to a constellation of side effects that includes fatigue, exercise intolerance, brain fog, tinnitus and dizziness, together referred to as “post-vaccination syndrome,” according to a small new study.

Some people with this syndrome appear to show distinct biological changes, the research found — among them differences in immune cells, reawakening of a dormant virus called Epstein-Barr, and the persistence of a coronavirus protein in their blood.

The study was posted online Wednesday and has not yet been published in a scientific journal. “I want to emphasize that this is still a work in progress,” said Akiko Iwasaki, an immunologist at Yale University who led the work.

“It’s not like this study determined what’s making people sick,” she said, “but it’s the first kind of glimpse at what may be going on within these people.”

{snip}

Apoorva Mandavilli reports on science and global health, with a focus on infectious diseases, pandemics and the public health agencies that try to manage them. More about Apoorva Mandavilli

[CentralMass]

1. Interesting. I picked up a case of vertigo and dizziness during the pandemic.

The stronger vertigo symptoms seem to be gone but I've had some lasting balance issues. I guess blaming it on the vaccines might be a stretch.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. I'm having balance and vertigo issues too, but

I was also born when Harry Truman was president.

The Yale study is being sensationalized in all the usual places.

And good early morning.

[CentralMass]

3. I'm nearly 65, so Im getting up there. I'm not going to blame it on the Covid vaccines.

It's possible that I did have Covid once during that period. I was pretty sick once during that time, did not do a test for Covid, and chocked it up to a bad case of the flu. I was working remotely and live alone so I was not worried about infecting anyone.

[wishstar]

4. However some unvaccinated Covid patients exhibit same Epstein Barr complications

according to this article and several others I've read.

https://www.unmc.edu/healthsecurity/transmission/2023/04/04/covid-isnt-just-infecting-you-it-could-be-reactivating-viruses-that-have-been-dormant-in-your-body-for-years-2/

A mild or even an asymptomatic case of COVID can cause reservoirs of some viruses you’ve previously battled to reactivate, potentially leading to symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome—a condition that resembles long COVID, according to a recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology.

Researchers found herpes viruses like Epstein-Barr, one of the drivers behind mono, circulating in unvaccinated patients who had experienced COVID. In patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, antibody responses were stronger, signaling an immune system struggling to fight off the lingering viruses.

Such non-COVID pathogens have been named as likely culprits behind chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis. The nebulous condition with no definitive cause leads to symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, dizziness when moving, and unrefreshing sleep.

The symptoms of many long COVID patients could be described as chronic fatigue syndrome, experts say. Researchers in the October study hypothesized that COVID sometimes leads to suppression of the immune system, allowing latent viruses reactivated by the stress of COVID to recirculate—viruses linked to symptoms that are common in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and long COVID.

[58Sunliner]

5. I had EB and have CFS/MS. I've had 3 vaccinations.

I had a 2+ week reaction to the shots, but I don't think I went long on the issues. But with all the stress who can tell? I already dealt with all of those symptoms to a greater or lesser degree. I can say getting the shots makes me nervous. I'm afraid to get the shingles vaccination. I still use an N95 everywhere in public. I also take supplements that help me manage a lot of my symptoms and my immune system.