An article titled, “Comparison of the rates of emergent otologic adverse events following mRNA COVID-19 versus influenza vaccination: a matched cohort analysis,” was published in Frontiers in Neurology by authors Tina Munjal of Stanford University and Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Shelley Batts of Stanford University, Saurabh Gombar of Atropos Health and Stanford University, and Konstantina M. Stankovic of Stanford University.
Short Summary:
In a study comparing the ear-related adverse events of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines to pre-pandemic flu shots, researchers found their safety profiles to be very similar. The rates of new-onset issues like hearing loss and tinnitus were similarly low and rare for both vaccines.
Key Conclusions:
Although the COVID-19 vaccine was associated with a statistically higher risk of aural fullness (a feeling of ear pressure), the symptom was still extremely rare, occurring in just 0.2% of recipients. Ultimately, the analysis concluded that both vaccines have a comparable and reassuring otologic safety profile.