Experiences from COVID‐19 vaccination in patients with epilepsy

Abstract

Abstract Objective This study aimed to investigate the safety of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccination in patients with epilepsy (PWE) and their willingness to undergo vaccination. Methods This study was a survey the survey questionnaire, which included general, epilepsy‐specific, and COVID‐specific questions, was completed by patients of the outpatient clinic and hospital ward at The Third Xiangya Hospital in 2021. Results A total of 120 valid questionnaires were returned. Eighty‐nine of 120 responders (74.2%) were not vaccinated, and 31 (25.8%) were vaccinated against COVID‐19. Of the 31 vaccinated PWE, one (3.2%) had worsening of seizures and four (12.9%) had adverse reactions that were characteristic of the COVID‐19 vaccine. The other 26 patients (83.9%) reported no adverse reactions, Moreover, there was no significant difference between the 18 PWE with well‐controlled seizures and the 13 PWE with poorly‐controlled seizures. Of the 89 unvaccinated PWE, 69.7% (62/89) were willing to receive the COVID‐19 vaccine, 28.1% (25/89) were unsure, and 2.2% (2/89) declined to be vaccinated. Significance Among PWE, few adverse reactions occurred following the COVID‐19 vaccination. Most PWE were willing to receive the COVID‐19 vaccine. COVID‐19 vaccination is safe for PWE.

Keywords

• COVID‐19
• patients with epilepsy (PWE)
• vaccination