Moderna COVID-19 vaccine linked to more delayed cutaneous reactions

Cutaneous reactions following administration of COVID-19 vaccines have been increasingly reported. Many of these reports focus on various acute reactions. Fewer studies have focused on cutaneous reactions that develop 7 days or more after vaccination (delayed cutaneous reaction). The objective of this study is to determine if delayed cutaneous reactions are reported with more frequency following a COVID-19 vaccine than with other vaccinations.

A VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System) database specific for those eligible for military health care was utilized. Adverse reaction reports following any COVID-19 vaccine and any Influenza vaccines between December 2020 to July 2022 were analyzed. Reports that included “rash” or “hives” were further reviewed to determine the onset of cutaneous symptoms following the vaccination.

Results

2.2% of COVID-19 VAERS reports and 7.6% (16/211) of Influenza VAERS reports included “rash” or “hives”.

When compared to reports from the Influenza vaccinations, cutaneous reactions were not reported with more frequency after a COVID-19 vaccination.

There does appear to be a difference when looking at delayed reactions.

Delayed cutaneous reactions were not reported after Influenza vaccinations alone but were reported in 25.5% of the COVID-19 vaccine VAERS reports with “rash” or “hives”.

Delayed cutaneous reactions were more likely to be reported following the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

Delayed cutaneous reactions following COVID-19 vaccinations were reported more frequently than after Influenza vaccinations. Delayed cutaneous reactions were reported with more frequency following the Moderna COVID-19 vaccination than with J&J COVID-19 vaccinations, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations, and any Influenza vaccine.

Reference:

Miller C, Skerrett C, Quinn J. Delayed Cutaneous Reactions Following COVID-19 Vaccinations – A Military Cohort Analysis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2023 Feb;151(2):AB233. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.12.725. Epub 2023 Feb 3. PMCID: PMC9895865.