Neurologic Complications With Vaccines

Abstract

Over the previous half century, vaccines have shaped human life by eradicating or nearly eradicating infections that were once a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The number of infections for which vaccines are now available has steadily increased. The types of vaccines have evolved over the years from crude extracts to more refined mRNA or protein-based vaccines. With these well-defined manufacturing process, the safety profile has also improved. Despite such measures, vaccines are not without side effects including those that impact the nervous system. Numerous case reports and case series point to these possibilities. These issues have gathered much attention during the current mass vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 and have resulted in some members of the public raising concerns about vaccine safety. The vaccine manufacturers have legal protection against vaccine side effects, however, there are active and passive surveillance programs put in place by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States Food and Drug Administration, the World Health Organization and the European Union. Action is needed that brings together manufactures, health care agencies, clinical and bench scientists and legislatures on a global platform to investigate vaccine related neurological adverse events and develop ways to prevent and treat them.