Van den Berg, SylviaVan Rooyen, CathyWessels, Pieter FrederikBrauer, MariekeGreen, Robin J.2023-05-232023-05-232022-03Van den Berga, S., Van Rooyen, C., Wessels, P.F. et al. 2022, 'COVID-19 vaccines : adverse events following immunisation', Current Allergy and Clinical Immunology, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 16-22, doi : 10.520/ejc-caci-v35-n1-a3.1609-3607 (print)10.520/ejc-caci-v35-n1-a3http://hdl.handle.net/2263/90777Patients rely on healthcare providers as their most credible and frequent source of vaccine information. It is therefore crucial that healthcare providers are informed and have evidence-based, objective and clear guidance on vaccine efficacy and specific adverse events following immunisation (AEFI). Reported serious AEFIs are extremely rare for the COVID-19 vaccines. This article discusses the main AEFIs attributed to COVID-19 vaccines, including neurological complications of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and acute transverse myelitis (ATM), thrombosis; cardiac complications, including myocarditis, pericarditis and cardiomyopathy; and allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis, urticaria and skin rashes. The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the risks; however, it is important that healthcare providers are aware of the risks and know how to recognise and manage them.en© Allergy Society of South Africa.COVID-19 vaccineAdverse eventsGuillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)Acute transverse myelitis (ATM)ThrombosisCardiac complicationsMyocarditisPericarditisCardiomyopathyVaccine allergyUrticarialSkin rashCOVID-19 pandemicCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Article