mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination Not Linked with Autoimmune Hepatitis

The European Medicines Agency's (EMA) vaccine committee confirmed on April 8, 2022, that the available evidence does not support a causal link between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines Comirnaty and Spikevax and very rare cases of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH).

The EMA committee's assessment is based on data from medical literature, cases of AIH spontaneously reported in the EudraVigilance database, and further data and analyses provided by the marketing authorization holders.

The EMA's statement indicated it would continue to monitor any new reports of the condition closely and take appropriate measures if necessary.

AIH is a serious chronic inflammatory condition in which the immune system attacks and damages the liver.

The signs and symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis vary from person to person and may include yellowing of the skin (jaundice), build-up of fluid in the legs (edema) or belly (ascites), and gastrointestinal symptoms says the U.S. NIH.

Doctors and pharmacists treat autoimmune hepatitis with medicines that suppress or decrease the activity of the immune system, which reduces the immune system's attack on your liver.

The medicines doctors most often prescribe corticosteroids or prednisolone, with or without another medicine called azathioprine, says the NIH.

Note: The EMA announcement was edited for clarity and manually curated for mobile readers.