The Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS)under the Ministry of Health, has published its 19th pharmacovigilance report in which the security information about the COVID-19 vaccines and its possible adverse reactions.
This update reveals the discovery of a new adverse reaction associated with AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccinewhich is added to the most frequent, such as fever and malaise, headache, dizziness, myalgia and arthralgia.
Cutaneous Vasculitis
This new side effect, associated with the vaccine Vaxzevriaof AstraZeneca, has been identified as cutaneous vasculitis.
As detailed in the Ministry of Health report, cutaneous vasculitis is a inflammation of the blood vessels in the skin It manifests itself as a rash or as small, flat, round, red or purplish spots below the surface of the skin.
In addition to these spots on the skin, other types of skin lesions may also appear, such as ulcers or vesicles that do not cause discomfort, but a itching and burning sensation in the area.
This inflammation can thicken the walls of the vessels, reducing the width of the inner passage and, in very extreme cases, can cause blood flow to become restricted, causing leaks in organs and tissues.
The report takes into account the evaluation of the cases that are diagnosed in the side effect reporting programs after vaccination. With the data obtained, the conclusion drawn by Health is that there is a “reasonable chance” of developing the onset of cutaneous vasculitis after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Cutaneous vasculitis usually disappear on its own and without any treatment over time, although in some cases it is necessary to take medication to control inflammation.
