VAERS data reveals no increased risk of neuroautoimmune adverse events from COVID-19 vaccines

Neuroautoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis and Guillain-Barre syndrome, have been documented in relation to various vaccines in the past. This paper uses passive reporting information from the CDC/FDA’s VAERS system to analyse whether neuroautoimmune presentations are reported at a relatively higher or lower rate, vis-a-vis other adverse effects, for COVID-19 vaccines than for other vaccines. Through computing the reporting odds ratios for a range of symptoms and comparator vaccines, a clear indication in favour of the safety of COVID-19 vaccines emerges, with reports of neuroautoimmune adverse events in relation to other adverse events being over 70% less likely for COVID-19 than for comparator vaccines ( ROR : 0.292, p < 0.0001). In comparison with other vaccines given as part of routine care in adulthood, COVID-19 vaccines have the lowest reporting odds ratio of neuroautoimmune adverse effects (median ROR : 0.246).