It may sound scary, but don’t worry, the condition is virtually harmless!
The United States of America has already approved and began administering Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna but it seems that the vaccine may cause some side-effects to some people. As reported by USA Today, a total of 7 people have developed Bell’s palsy after taking the vaccine, whereby 4 was from Pfizer and 3 from Moderna.
Bell’s palsy is a condition which causes a temporary weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles. However, worry not as the condition is actually more common and way less severe than people think.
Bell’s palsy can occur at any age and the exact cause of the condition are yet to be known. Researches believe that it may be a result of swelling and inflammation of the nerve that controls the muscles on one side of the face or a reaction after a viral infection. The latter may explain why it suddenly affects some who has taken the Covid-19 vaccines.
Dr Anthony Geraci, the Director of Neuromuscular Medicine in Northwell Health, New York says that the condition is only temporary. He added,
“Ninety percent, if not more, of patients who have Bell’s palsy experience a mild, transient weakness of the side of the face which is completely resolved within three months, the majority within a month and a half,”
For illustrative purposes.
Furthermore, the cases of people in the U.S. getting Bell’s palsy is actually more frequent than what was recorded in the Covid-19 vaccine trials. Therefore, there is not enough cases to determine whether they were caused by the vaccine or if it happened coincidentally.
Geraci further commented that Bell’s palsy is just a ‘bogeyman side effect’ and shouldn’t prevent anyone from getting the Covid-19 vaccines.
Also read: Singapore Will Be Giving Its Citizens FREE Covid-19 Vaccine
