Attention all Anti-Vaccinators: The Cutaneous Adverse Cutaneous Events from the mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines are Not an Excuse to Avoid Them!

Gronbeck, Christian; Grant-Kels, Jane M.

Despite the growing availability of Covid-19 vaccines in the general population, a significant proportion of individuals demonstrate vaccine hesitancy. We sought to consolidate and update current evidence on cutaneous adverse events from Covid-19 vaccines to aid in education and counseling of patients concerned about potential cutaneous side effects. We conducted a literature review of PubMed in May 2021 to identify reports of cutaneous events following the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines (post-authorization clinical reports pertaining to the Johnson and Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines were limited). Event reports in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) were also reviewed. Localized cutaneous reactions were common following the mRNA vaccines, consistent with clinical trial findings. Reported urticarial and morbilliform eruptions may reflect immediate hypersensitivity but have rarely been associated with anaphylaxis. There are infrequent reports of herpes zoster, dermatologic filler reactions, and immune thrombocytopenia, mainly occurring in high-risk patient groups. Ultimately, the identified cutaneous reactions are largely self-limited and should not discourage vaccination. Existing reports should reassure patients of the overall compelling safety profiles and benignity of skin reactions following the mRNA Covid-19 vaccines.