Two COVID-19 Vaccines Appear Safe for Hypothyroidism Patients

According to a new study being presented at a meeting in Atlanta, Ga., two COVID-19 vaccines do not cause significant fluctuations in thyroid function and are not associated with increased risks of emergency department visits or unscheduled hospitalizations.

The study evaluated an inactivated vaccine from Sinovac Biotech Ltd. called CoronaVac® and the Pfizer BioNTech (Comirnaty®) mRNA vaccine.

The researchers evaluated data from more than 47,000 COVID-19 vaccine recipients taking levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. 

"No previous studies have looked at any possible relationship between COVID-19 vaccines and unstable thyroid function control among patients receiving thyroid hormone replacement for hypothyroidism," said lead researcher David T.W. Lui, M.B.B.S., of the University of Hong Kong in Hong Kong in a press release issued on June 11, 2022.

"Our reassuring findings should encourage patients treated for hypothyroidism to vaccinate against COVID-19 for protection from potentially worse COVID-19-related outcomes."

Lui will present at the Society's ENDO 2022 thyroid health news conference at 11:30 AM on June 13. Register to attend at www.endowebcasting.com.

CoronaVac is used in vaccination campaigns in various countries in Asia, South America, Central America, and Eastern Europe countries.

The CoronaVac vaccine is based on an inactivated pathogen made by growing the whole virus in a lab and then killing it. Sinovac's strategy contrasts with many other COVID-19 vaccine development efforts.

A theoretical advantage of inactivated vaccines is that they contain additional viral proteins, including nucleoprotein, which could broaden protection beyond anti-spike protein responses and reduce the escape of variants from vaccine immunity. 

Note: This press release was curated for mobile readership.