A Rare Adverse Effect of the COVID-19 Vaccine on Autoimmune Encephalitis

Abstract

Since countries commenced COVID-19 vaccination around the world, many vaccine-related adverse effects have been reported. Among them, short-term memory loss with autoimmune encephalitis (AE) was reported as a rare adverse effect. Since case numbers are limited, this brief report may draw the attention of the medical community to this uncommon adverse effect and serve as a reference for future vaccine improvement. However, given the high risk of adverse outcomes when infected with SARS-CoV-2 and the clearly favorable safety/tolerability profile of existing vaccines, vaccination is still recommended.

Keywords

• COVID-19 vaccine
• adverse effect
• short-term memory loss
• autoimmune encephalitis
• lymphocytic pleocytosis