FDA reports rare complications with Pfizer COVID vaccine, updates J&J safety info

A summary of results of near real-time monitoring of the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in older individuals was reported Tuesday by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The agency identified four potential health concerns associated with receiving one of the authorized vaccines.

Examining the database of Medicare health care claims for people aged 65 years and older who received the mRNA vaccine marketed by Pfizer/BioNTech, FDA identified four adverse events of interest (AEI) associated with receipt of the vaccine. These include pulmonary embolism, acute myocardial infarction, immune thrombocytopenia and disseminated intravascular coagulation.