Anti-Covid Vaccines Deemed Safe Regarding Arthritis Risk, New Study Finds
Bologna, Italy – A new study from the Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute in Bologna, published in Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, offers reassuring evidence regarding the safety of Covid-19 vaccines and their potential link to autoimmune or inflammatory joint diseases like rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis. The research addresses concerns raised about the novel mRNA technology used in some vaccines and the rapid progress and authorization process.
Researchers analyzed over 650,000 reports submitted to the US Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (Vaers), examining whether arthritis cases were reported at a higher rate following Covid-19 vaccination compared to other common vaccines. The analysis encompassed data from over 403 million doses administered.
The study revealed approximately 13.8 cases of inflammatory arthritis were reported per million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine - a rate comparable to that observed with other vaccines and consistent with the general risk of developing inflammatory arthritis.
“Our results strengthen confidence in anti-Covid-19 vaccines, confirming their safety profile also with respect to possible adverse events of rheumatological interest,” stated Dr. Jacopo Ciaffi,the study’s first author.
Professor Francesco Ursini, head of Rheumatology and research group coordinator, emphasized the importance of data-driven information. “Thes data are fundamental to support objective information based on scientific evidence. Thanks to large pharmacovigilance databases such as the US Vaers, we have precious data available that allow us to develop research with tangible value.”
The research was conducted in collaboration with the Medical Statistics group at the University of Milan-Bicocca.