Yale Study Finds Post-Vaccine Syndrome Shares Symptoms with Long COVID

A preprint study from Yale University researchers examined a condition known as post-vaccination syndrome. The study included 42 individuals with PVS and 22 without. Researchers observed elevated levels of spike proteins in the PVS group for 36 to 709 days because the time that lapsed since the last vaccination varied between participants. It is a preprint study that has not been peer-reviewed, and the researchers say larger studies should be done to validate and further understand the findings.

The researchers wrote, “Compared with controls, PVS participants exhibited differences in 48 immune profiles, including reduced circulating memory and effector CD4 T cells (type 1 49 and type 2) and an increase in TNFα+ CD8 T cells. PVS participants also had lower 50 anti-spike antibody titers, primarily due to fewer vaccine doses.”

In a Substack post, Journalist Alex Berenson wrote, “This is bad news. Very bad.” Berenson explained that the researchers found rising levels of spike proteins up to two years after vaccination and immune system damage. The immune system damage is “similar though not identical to changes caused by HIV.”

Berenson added, “The study found that patients with post-vaccine syndrome had low levels of crucial CD4 “helper” T-cells, and some of their CD8 “killer” T-cells showed evidence of what immunologists call exhaustion. “

The researchers do not have T-cell data for participants prior to receiving the vaccine as they weren’t enrolled until after receiving the injection. This means causality cannot be proven based on the research. It is unknown whether the participants had low T-cells before the vaccine or whether the vaccine caused the immune system damage.

Berenson said rectifying the missing data for this research study is difficult and unlikely. He did suggest that Moderna and Pfizer clinical trial data could include T-cell data for some of the participants. That data could be analyzed to understand how T-cell values change over time.

Researcher Dr. Akiko Iwasaki said in a press conference, “That was surprising, to find spike protein in circulation at such a late time point. We don’t know if the level of spike protein is causing the chronic symptoms… but it could be one mechanism underlying this syndrome.”

Berenson said the results are particularly credible based on the change of tone by Dr. Iwasaki. Berenson wrote she was “the former president of the American Association of Immunologists who in 2021 called concerns about the mRNA shots ‘absurd.’”

On her X page, Dr. Iwasaki said “Vaccines have saved countless lives and inspired me to become an immunologist. While generally safe, some people experience adverse effects, including Post-Vaccination Syndrome (PVS). Studying PVS is crucial for improving patient care and enhancing vaccine safety & acceptance.”

Journalist Paul Thacker and others have suggested the results may indicate millions of people diagnosed with “long COVID” are actually vaccine injured. He points to an overlap in symptoms between “long COVID” and post-vaccination syndrome. Also, some of the patients in the study were never infected with COVID-19.

Researchers wrote “Unlike long COVID, PVS is not officially recognized by health authorities, which has significantly limited patient care and support.” Thacker pointed out that the NIH has spent $1.6 billion to study long COVID, but have not invested in researching vaccine injuries. Thacker goes on to explain how the latest Yale study contradicts several fact checks from the Associated Press, Reuters, and Politifact dating back to 2021.

The researchers wrote “Notably, we observed that the highest levels of detectable S1 in the PVS-I group were the furthest away from the last known exposure and ranging between greater than 600-700 days.”

The paper also states, “The demographics at risk of developing PVS and symptom manifestations are similar to those of long COVID. Whether this reflects overlapping underlying mechanisms such as persistent S protein remains to be determined.”

“Serological evidence of recent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation was observed more frequently in PVS participants,” the researchers wrote. 

“Exercise intolerance, excessive fatigue, brain fog, insomnia, and dizziness” are the most common chronic symptoms associated with PVS. The symptoms typically start within a day or two of the vaccine and can continue for long periods of time.

Harlan Krumholz, the Harold H. Hines, Jr. Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) at YSM and co-senior author of the study said, “It’s clear that some individuals are experiencing significant challenges after vaccination. Our responsibility as scientists and clinicians is to listen to their experiences, rigorously investigate the underlying causes, and seek ways to help.”

The HighWire reported earlier this month that the CDC failed to support its assertion that DNA integration with the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines is “biologically impossible.” This came after a FOIA request and a legal battle initiated by the Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN).