Cutaneous reactions to COVID-19 vaccines: A review

• Published in: JAAD international Vol. 7; pp. 178 - 186
• Main Authors: Tan, See Wei, Tam, Yew Chong, Pang, Shiu Ming
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.06.2022; Elsevier
• Subjects: anaphylaxis; angioedema; chilblains; COVID-19; cutaneous reaction; herpes zoster; immunity; injection site reaction; Original; pityriasis rosea; urticaria; vaccination; COVID-19; angioedema; herpes zoster; chilblains; pityriasis rosea; urticaria; SCAR; anaphylaxis; injection site reaction; cutaneous reaction; immunity; vaccination
• ISSN: 2666-3287; 2666-3287
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdin.2022.01.011

The increasing number of reports on cutaneous reactions following COVID-19 vaccination has led to growing concerns among certain groups. We reviewed the published reports of cutaneous lesions after COVID-19 vaccination. We conducted a literature search for original and review articles published between January 1, 2020, and September 27, 2021. Eleven cutaneous reactions associated with COVID-19 vaccines were determined; the most prevalent reactions were local injection site reactions, delayed local reactions, urticaria, angioedema, and morbilliform eruptions. There were more reports on skin reactions following the administration of messenger RNA-based vaccines than on those following the administration of adenoviral vector or inactivated whole-virus vaccines, in part, due to their higher administration rate. Most reported skin reactions occurred after the first vaccine dose. A reporting bias could not be excluded, and skin biopsy results were not available for most included individuals. Moreover, given that the included trials focused on vaccine efficacy, there was a lack of details concerning cutaneous reactions and participant information. Not all cutaneous reactions observed after COVID-19 vaccination are hypersensitivity reactions. Different cutaneous reactions may reflect underlying immune responses to the vaccines. A large majority of COVID-19 vaccination reactions were mild and self-limiting, and people should be encouraged to complete their vaccination regimen.