Four volunteers who participated in the vaccine trials for Pfizer-BioNTech reportedly developed Bell’s Palsy.
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The Food and Drug Administration regulators reported it is currently unclear how the four volunteers developed the temporary facial paralysis and if the vaccine played a factor. Bell’s Palsy occurs when a nerve controlling the facial muscles becomes inflamed or swollen and can lead to paralysis. Regulators also urged doctors to closely monitor their patients who have taken the vaccine so they can keep track of the side effect.
Dr. Sara Oliver, an officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said on Friday that there was no known relationship between Bell’s Palsy and the COVID-19 vaccine.
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“Post authorization safety and effectiveness studies will be critical as well. Specifically, surveillance for Bell’s palsy could help determine any possible causal relationship,”
Officials also said they will be closely monitoring the side effects for the first batch of vaccinations that will be administered to health care workers and nursing home residents. They also plan to use a text messaging bot called V-Safe to inform patients about the vaccine and its possible side effects.
SOURCE: Zee News