The safety committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is studying three new conditions reported by a small number of people after vaccination with COVID-19 shots from Pfizer and Moderna are being studied to assess if they may be possible side effects.
The three conditions are Erythema multiforme, a form of allergic skin reaction; glomerulonephritis or kidney inflammation; and nephrotic syndrome, a renal disorder characterised by heavy urinary protein losses.
The EMA said that erythema multiforme causes round skin lesions, which may also affect mucous membranes in internal body cavities. The other two side effects are kidney disorders called nephrotic syndrome and glomerulonephritis. Nephrotic syndrome causes the kidneys to leak too much protein into the urine. Glomerulonephritis, on the other hand, causes inflammation of the tiny filters in the kidneys. The symptoms for both the kidney disorders include bloody or foamy urine, swelling of the abdomen, eyelids, or feet, and fatigue.
Patients who have been given Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were studied to come up with the findings. However, some of the patients examined already had pre-existing kidney diseases.
Pfizer is the biggest supplier of COVID-19 vaccines in the European Union. Pfizer said in a statement that it, together with BioNTech, supports the EMA’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee investigation, and will provide the body more data and analyses.
As of July 29, over 43.5 million doses of Modern’a vaccine, Spikevax, have been given to citizens in the European Economic Area. On the other hand, 330 million Pfizer doses have been given.
This is not the first time that a side effect was linked to Pfizer and Moderna. Weeks ago, although very rare, heart inflammation was found to be one of the side effects for people who got the shots from said companies. The EMA said that the side effect would most likely be common in younger men. The EMA, likewise, noted that this side effect is still outweighed by the benefits of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
For heart inflammation, the symptoms include chest pains, a feeling of breathlessness, and a pounding or fluttering heartbeat. If you have these symptoms, you are advised to see a doctor.
