Can COVID19 Vaccines Trigger Alopecia Areata?

COVID19 Vaccines Can Rarely Trigger Alopecia Areata: Important Lessons from the First 18 Published Patients

Many vaccines are known to carry a risk for triggering alopecia areata. Some of these are listed below including a new addition to the list - the COVID 19 vaccines.

Alopecia Areata is Rarely a Side Effect of COVID 19 Vaccines

It has come to the attention of the world that COVID19 vaccines can rarely trigger alopecia areata. Fortunately the risk seems very low but the exact number can’t be determined quite yet.

Alopecia areata can rarely occur as a result of COVID 19 vaccination. The side effect appears to be extremely rare.

To date, there have been 18 published patients. Most of these patients with post vaccine alopecia areata received the Pfizer vaccines (11 total) although Moderna was the vaccine in 4 patients and 3 had AstraZeneca. Alopecia areata can occur after the first dose or subsequent doses. Hair loss occurred after the first dose in 10 patients and after the second dose in 8 patients. Initially, it was felt that hair loss was more likely to occur in patients with prior history of alopecia areata but now it’s realized that about 50 % have no prior history. The hair loss usually occurs within 2-3 weeks of the vaccine if it’s going to occur but it can take a few months in some cases. What does stand out is that a large proportion of patients with vaccine induced alopecia areata have more widespread disease rather than localized disease. It’s true that a few of the 18 patients had localized disease but most had extensive loss.

Summary of the 18 Patients to Date

(Click here to Download PDF: ALOPECIA AREATA VACCINE REACTIONS)

REFERENCES