Real-world safety data for the Pfizer BNT162b2 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine: historical cohort study

Objective: The Pfizer BNT162b2 vaccine showed a reassuring safety profile in clinical trials, but realworld data are scarce. Bell's palsy, herpes zoster, Guillain-Barre = syndrome (GBS) and other neurological complaints in proximity to vaccination have received special public attention. We compared their rates among vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Methods: Individuals >16 years vaccinated with at least one dose of BNT162b2 were eligible for this historical cohort study in a health maintenance organization insuring 1.2 million citizens. Each vaccinee was matched to a non-vaccinated control by sex, age, population sector (general Jewish, Arab, ultraorthodox Jewish) and comorbidities. Diagnosis of Covid-19 before or after vaccination was an exclusion criterion. The outcome was a diagnosis of Bell's palsy, GBS, herpes zoster or symptoms of numbness or tingling, coded in the visit diagnosis field using ICD-9 codes. Diagnoses of Bell's palsy and GBS were verified by individual file review. Results: Of 406 148 individuals vaccinated during the study period, 394 609 (97.2%) were eligible (11 539 excluded). A total of 233 159 (59.1%) were matched with unvaccinated controls. Mean follow was 43 +/- 15.14 days. In vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals there were 23 versus 24 cases of Bell's palsy (RR 0.96, CI 0.54-1.70), one versus zero cases of GBS, 151 versus 141 cases of herpes zoster (RR 1.07, CI 0.85-1.35) and 605 versus 497 cases of numbness or tingling (RR 1.22, CI 1.08-1.37), respectively. Discussion: No association was found between vaccination, Bell's palsy, herpes zoster or GBS. Symptoms of numbness or tingling were more common among vaccinees. This study adds reassuring data regarding the safety of the BNT162b2 vaccine. David Shasha, Clin Microbiol Infect 2022;28:130 (c) 2021 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, individuals vaccinated with the Pfizer BNT162b2 vaccine were compared with unvaccinated controls, showing no association between vaccination and Bell's palsy, herpes zoster, or GBS. However, vaccinated individuals were more likely to experience symptoms of numbness or tingling. The study provides reassuring data regarding the safety of the BNT162b2 vaccine.