When considering subsequent vaccinations for those patients who have already experienced a worrying adverse reaction to their COVID-19 vaccinations, our community statistics suggest that ~80% of these patients who get a subsequent COVID-19 vaccine had a further (and worsening) adverse reaction. Please consider this evidence as a part of informed consent in your discussions with patients.
— COVERSE Vaccine Injury Profile data
We are working hard to bring together information about emerging treatments for different COVID-19 vaccine injuries, and how these fit into the Australian health landscape. Patients experiencing these injuries have tried a large number of interventions in an attempt to overcome their symptoms. This includes pharmaceuticals, lifestyle changes, supplements, physical therapies, and many unconventional treatments.
As a health practitioner, a good place to start might be to review the BMJ’s primary care guide for Long Covid, given the uncanny overlap of symptoms between Long Covid and many with COVID-19 vaccine injuries.
Doctors and researchers in Marburg, Germany are working with patients from both groups, and the paper “The rationale for the treatment of long-Covid symptoms” (Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, September 2022) details the similarities and major theories behind their cause. In recent times, several state/territory governments have established Long Covid clinics in major cities. It may be appropriate to refer your patients to one of these clinics in addition to other approaches that you and other specialists are implementing.
It is prudent to be mindful of potential treatments outside of your expertise, and even outside conventional medical approaches (noting that many patients have found promising solutions from “wholistic” approaches that implement a range of different interventions).
Our partner organisation in the USA — React19 — has conducted several small surveys on patients which may assist you gain some insight to treatment options for your patients, noting the limitations of surveys such as these:
- Persistent symptoms survey
- Risk factors survey
- Treatment outcomes survey
- Mental health survey (currently collecting data)
As discussions amongst our medical network progress, we will post further information here and via email in the future. Be sure to register with us to stay up-to-date.