Bell´s Palsy After Astra Zenica COVID-19 Vaccination

Abstract

We present a case of peripheral facial palsy developing after the first dose of AZD1222, Astra Zeneca`s COVID-19 vaccine. A 31- year-old female received her first dose of AZD1222 vaccine against COVID-19. Later the same day, she developed swelling around her neck and head. The next day, she woke up with hanging eyelid, hanging mouth and loss of sensibility on the left side of her face- indications of peripheral facial paralysis. She later on developed hyperesthesia on the upper extremities. Before vaccination, the patient was healthy and had no history of neurological disease. She fully recovered from the paresis after 2-3 days. Five months after she received her first and only dose of the vaccine, she still complains of severe hyperesthesia in her upper extremities. There have been several international case reports of Bell´s palsy after COVID-19- vaccination, but Bell´s palsy is not yet a confirmed adverse effect of any COVID-19 vaccine. The aim of this case report is to raise awareness about Bell´s palsy as a possible adverse effect of Astra Zeneca´s COVID-19 vaccine.