Generalized erythrodermic psoriasis triggered by vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2

Abstract

Generalized erythrodermic psoriasis (GEP) is a rare and potentially life-threatening variant of psoriasis. Possible triggers that have been identified to date include poorly controlled psoriasis, medications, abrupt discontinuation of anti-psoriatic treatment, and underlying systemic illnesses. However, vaccines have rarely been reported to exacerbate GEP. Herein, we report two unique cases with GEP exacerbated following a dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine for COVID-19 (as their second dose, the first being the mRNA-1273 vaccine). Based on our observations and a literature review, vaccination was considered the most likely trigger of GEP due to the close temporal relationship between the second vaccination and the onset of GEP.