Stock image of a Covid vaccine clinic.Photo:Spencer Platt/Getty
Spencer Platt/Getty
Scientists are trying to understand why a small number of people may develop adverse reactions to theCovid vaccine.Researchers from Yale analyzed the blood of 42 people who struggled with post-vaccination syndrome, which includes symptoms such as exercise intolerance, fatigue, brain fog, insomnia, and dizziness, according toYaleresearchers. They compared the samples to the blood of 22 people who reported no negative reactions to the vaccine.For the people with PVS, researchers found “differences in immune profiles,” according to a study published onMedRxIVthat has not yet been peer-reviewed.There were several immune differences, but the one researchers highlighted was that some of those with PVS had higher levels of “spike protein” — the jagged surface projectile that the virus uses to penetrate host cells, and what the Covid vaccine uses to trigger and develop protection from the virus.“I want to emphasize that this is still a work in progress,” said Akiko Iwasaki, an immunologist at Yale University who led the work, told theNew York Times.“It’s not like this study determined what’s making people sick,” she said, “but it’s the first kind of glimpse at what may be going on within these people.”Stock image of someone getting a vaccine in a drive-through clinic.GettyIn astatement from Yale, she said it was “surprising” to find spike protein in circulation so long after the vaccine had been given. “We don’t know if the level of spike protein is causing the chronic symptoms, because there were other participants with PVS who didn’t have any measurable spike protein. But it could be one mechanism underlying this syndrome.”The statement notes that spike protein levels are also associated withlong Covid,and Iwasaki says that there are treatments that could help: “Maybe we can remove [the protein]— with monoclonal antibodies, for example — and maybe that could help reduce PVS symptoms,”Stock image of the SARS-CoV-2 molecule, showing the spike proteins on its surface.CDC/API/Gamma-Rapho/GettyResearchers hope that if they can identify the cause of PVS, they can effectively treat it. “It’s clear that some individuals are experiencing significant challenges after vaccination. Our responsibility as scientists and clinicians is to listen to their experiences, rigorously investigate the underlying causes, and seek ways to help,”Harlan Krumholz, the Harold H. Hines, Jr. Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) at YSM and co-senior author of the study said in the statement.While Iwasaki notes that their research is “in the early stages,” she adds, “this is giving us some hope that there may be something that we can use for diagnosis and treatment of PVS down the road.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Scientists are trying to understand why a small number of people may develop adverse reactions to theCovid vaccine.
Researchers from Yale analyzed the blood of 42 people who struggled with post-vaccination syndrome, which includes symptoms such as exercise intolerance, fatigue, brain fog, insomnia, and dizziness, according toYaleresearchers. They compared the samples to the blood of 22 people who reported no negative reactions to the vaccine.
For the people with PVS, researchers found “differences in immune profiles,” according to a study published onMedRxIVthat has not yet been peer-reviewed.
There were several immune differences, but the one researchers highlighted was that some of those with PVS had higher levels of “spike protein” — the jagged surface projectile that the virus uses to penetrate host cells, and what the Covid vaccine uses to trigger and develop protection from the virus.
“I want to emphasize that this is still a work in progress,” said Akiko Iwasaki, an immunologist at Yale University who led the work, told theNew York Times.
“It’s not like this study determined what’s making people sick,” she said, “but it’s the first kind of glimpse at what may be going on within these people.”
Stock image of someone getting a vaccine in a drive-through clinic.Getty
Getty
In astatement from Yale, she said it was “surprising” to find spike protein in circulation so long after the vaccine had been given. “We don’t know if the level of spike protein is causing the chronic symptoms, because there were other participants with PVS who didn’t have any measurable spike protein. But it could be one mechanism underlying this syndrome.”
The statement notes that spike protein levels are also associated withlong Covid,and Iwasaki says that there are treatments that could help: “Maybe we can remove [the protein]— with monoclonal antibodies, for example — and maybe that could help reduce PVS symptoms,”
Stock image of the SARS-CoV-2 molecule, showing the spike proteins on its surface.CDC/API/Gamma-Rapho/Getty
CDC/API/Gamma-Rapho/Getty
Researchers hope that if they can identify the cause of PVS, they can effectively treat it. “It’s clear that some individuals are experiencing significant challenges after vaccination. Our responsibility as scientists and clinicians is to listen to their experiences, rigorously investigate the underlying causes, and seek ways to help,”Harlan Krumholz, the Harold H. Hines, Jr. Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) at YSM and co-senior author of the study said in the statement.
While Iwasaki notes that their research is “in the early stages,” she adds, “this is giving us some hope that there may be something that we can use for diagnosis and treatment of PVS down the road.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
source: people.com
