Neurological complications post – COVID-19 vaccination

Following vaccination of the population against Covid-19 infection, a multitude of neurological complications have been reported, from the most frequently encountered to the rarest. In our article we present a narrative analysis of two databases: PubMed and Google Scholar for all types of published studies (case reports, case series, cross-sectional study with a meta-analytic literature review, systematic review, meta-analysis, retrospective study, cohort study). Headache is one of the most publicized, early onset complications, it can be migraine type - 51.1% and tension type - 27.4%, most frequently starting after the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine, followed by the Sputnik V vaccine. The incidence of ischemic stroke was recorded from 0.29 to 1.76 million vaccinees, while hemorrhagic stroke represents 364.7 per 1 million people, developing more frequently after mRNA vaccines. MOG encephalomyelitis was also recorded postvaccination, manifested by optic neuritis, with onset 10 days after the 1st dose administered, more susceptible being after the AstraZeneca vaccine. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) was reported after the SinoVac and AstraZeneca vaccines, manifesting as sensory disturbances, seizures, and focal neurological deficits. GBS after COVID-19 vaccination occurs in 8.1 per 1,000,000 vaccinations, more frequently after mRNA vaccines. Optic neuritis occurs after inactivated vaccines, adenoviral vaccines, and messenger RNA vaccines, while multiple sclerosis begins after the administration of Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines. Transverse myelitis and Bell’s palsy are more common with the Moderna vaccine, while sinus thrombosis and TIA develop more often after the Johnson-Johnson vaccine.