Analysis of new-onset seizures following use of COVID-19 vaccinations in children based on VAERS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Recently, there have been some reports of seizures related with COVID-19 vaccinations. However, no studies have systematically investigated the relationship between seizures and various COVID-19 vaccines. Research design and methods This research aimed to analyze the characteristics and risk signals of new-onset seizures in children caused by various COVID-19 vaccines based on the data of the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). To identify potential risk signals, a disproportionality analysis was conducted. The reporting odds ratio (ROR) and the Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR) were used to detect signals. Results A total of 695 children with new-onset seizures events associated with COVID-19 vaccinations were retrieved from the VAERS database. Compared with influenza vaccinations, the percentage and rate of COVID-19 vaccinations related seizures was all reduced. The median onset time of seizures was 1 day after COVID-19 vaccines. No signal was detected for an association between the COVID-19 vaccines and new-onset seizures, neither when compared with influenza vaccines nor with non-COVID-19 vaccines. Conclusion No statistically significant risk signal of COVID-19 vaccine-related seizures was found in this study. However, it is still necessary to monitor the possibility of new-onset seizures when children are immunized with COVID-19 vaccines.