Is there a link between giant cell arteritis and the Malone, Kariko, Weissman et al. mRNA (BioNTech/Pfizer) technology based vaccine: a double-edged sword? Yes, there is a link as per Anzola et al.!

83 year old female took the mRNA Pfizer shot; An FDG-PET/CT scan revealed an abnormal artery uptake suggestive of bilateral vertebral vasculitis, mainly on the in-bone portion of the artery (Fig. 1).

SOURCE:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8810207/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

‘Symptoms began 24 h after the first dose of COVID-19 mRNA (BioNTech/Pfizer) vaccine and were attributed to a post-vaccination reaction.’

‘An ultrasound exam in our fast-track clinic showed a non-compressible halo sign in the parietal branch of the right temporal artery (Fig. 1). Large vessel examination (carotid, subclavian, and axillary) was normal. Suspecting a new-onset giant cell arteritis (GCA), pulse steroids plus methotrexate were started. An FDG-PET/CT scan revealed an abnormal artery uptake suggestive of bilateral vertebral vasculitis, mainly on the in-bone portion of the artery (Fig. 1). Although the right temporal artery biopsy (TAB) was normal, the patient met the ACR criteria for GCA.’