The FDA says getting a Covid shot on the same day as certain flu vaccines could increase the risk of stroke in the elderly – while children aged 2 to 5 are slightly more likely to have seizures after a coronavirus booster
- Two FDA analyzes revealed potential health concerns about the Covid shots
- But the agency emphasizes that the links are not definitive, and even if they are, they are small
The Covid vaccine may be linked to a small increase in the risk of stroke if given alongside a high-dose flu shot, health officials say.
A new analysis from the Food and Drug Administration found the link was most pronounced in adults over 85 and applied only to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
The FDA said the risk may come solely from the flu vaccine and is completely unrelated to the Covid shots. Regardless, the report says the risk is still very small.
There were roughly three strokes or stroke-like events, called transient ischemic attacks, for every 100,000 doses administered.
By comparison, in 2022 the Covid infection rate in people over 85 was 1,224 per 100,000, with US health experts saying vaccination still outweighs the small risk.
It is the second analysis by health officials to note a possible link to strokes and seniors after receiving the combination seasonal vaccines.
Meanwhile, a separate analysis from the FDA revealed a small increase in the incidence of seizures after Covid vaccinations in children aged two to five.
Covid vaccine may be linked to a small increase in stroke risk if given alongside a high-dose flu shot, health officials say
The papers were posted online last week, and have not yet been vetted for publication in a scientific journal. Vaccine safety experts said the studies were well conducted.
More to come