Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-3-2023

Identifier

DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.48987

Abstract

IMPORTANCE: Data are limited regarding adverse reactions after COVID-19 vaccination in patients with a history of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). The lack of vaccine safety data in this unique population may cause hesitancy and concern for many families and health care professionals.

OBJECTIVE: To describe adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccination in patients with a history of MIS-C.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this multicenter cross-sectional study including 22 North American centers participating in a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health-sponsored study, Long-Term Outcomes After the Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MUSIC), patients with a prior diagnosis of MIS-C who were eligible for COVID-19 vaccination (age ≥5 years; ≥90 days after MIS-C diagnosis) were surveyed between December 13, 2021, and February 18, 2022, regarding COVID-19 vaccination status and adverse reactions.

EXPOSURES: COVID-19 vaccination after MIS-C diagnosis.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The main outcome was adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccination. Comparisons were made using the Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables and the χ2 or Fisher exact test for categorical variables.

RESULTS: Of 385 vaccine-eligible patients who were surveyed, 185 (48.1%) received at least 1 vaccine dose; 136 of the vaccinated patients (73.5%) were male, and the median age was 12.2 years (IQR, 9.5-14.7 years). Among vaccinated patients, 1 (0.5%) identified as American Indian/Alaska Native, non-Hispanic; 9 (4.9%) as Asian, non-Hispanic; 45 (24.3%) as Black, non-Hispanic; 59 (31.9%) as Hispanic or Latino; 53 (28.6%) as White, non-Hispanic; 2 (1.1%) as multiracial, non-Hispanic; and 2 (1.1%) as other, non-Hispanic; 14 (7.6%) had unknown or undeclared race and ethnicity. The median time from MIS-C diagnosis to first vaccine dose was 9.0 months (IQR, 5.1-11.9 months); 31 patients (16.8%) received 1 dose, 142 (76.8%) received 2 doses, and 12 (6.5%) received 3 doses. Almost all patients received the BNT162b2 vaccine (347 of 351 vaccine doses [98.9%]). Minor adverse reactions were observed in 90 patients (48.6%) and were most often arm soreness (62 patients [33.5%]) and/or fatigue (32 [17.3%]). In 32 patients (17.3%), adverse reactions were treated with medications, most commonly acetaminophen (21 patients [11.4%]) or ibuprofen (11 [5.9%]). Four patients (2.2%) sought medical evaluation, but none required testing or hospitalization. There were no patients with any serious adverse events, including myocarditis or recurrence of MIS-C.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cross-sectional study of patients with a history of MIS-C, no serious adverse events were reported after COVID-19 vaccination. These findings suggest that the safety profile of COVID-19 vaccination administered at least 90 days following MIS-C diagnosis appears to be similar to that in the general population.

Journal Title

JAMA Netw Open

Volume

6

Issue

1

First Page

2248987

Last Page

2248987

MeSH Keywords

United States; Child; Humans; Male; Child, Preschool; Female; COVID-19 Vaccines; BNT162 Vaccine; COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Connective Tissue Diseases; Vaccination

Keywords

COVID-19 Vaccines; BNT162 Vaccine; COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Connective Tissue Diseases; Vaccination

Comments

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the CC-BY License. © 2023 Elias MD et al. JAMA Network Open.

Publisher's Link: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2799939

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