The COVID vaccine is under new scrutiny as two recent studies have raised questions about its potential health risks. A Korean study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases examined changes in respiratory infections during and after the pandemic, noting a significant surge in whooping cough cases and the common cold. Lead study author Dr. Jihun Song highlighted that while influenza-like illnesses declined during the pandemic, upper respiratory infections and colds surged in 2023 and 2024, with pertussis rates increasing over 40-fold compared to historical averages.
The study also found that individuals who received multiple COVID vaccine doses were less likely to contract flu-like illnesses or whooping cough but more prone to common colds and other mild respiratory infections. Dr. Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, emphasized the need for age-matching in the analysis, noting that vaccinated individuals tended to be older and thus more likely to seek medical care for colds. He argued that the study’s findings could be influenced by factors such as age, underlying illnesses, and healthcare utilization, rather than direct vaccine effects.
Critics of the study pointed out that the data collection was limited, with information on vaccine doses, antibody levels, and other health conditions missing from the electronic health records. Dr. Hua Wang, an associate professor at the University of Illinois, urged caution in interpreting the results, stating that both studies report benefits and risks, and that the focus should remain on the broader balance of vaccine safety and efficacy rather than on potential negative effects. Meanwhile, Dr. Marc Siegel, a Fox News senior medical analyst, acknowledged the importance of further research into the associations, while acknowledging the potential for bias in the study’s design.
Another study published in the International Journal of Medical Sciences found an increased risk of acute kidney injury and dialysis within one year of receiving the COVID vaccine, although vaccinated individuals showed lower rates of death from all causes. Dr. Glanville noted that while the risk of kidney issues from infection is generally higher than from vaccination, the findings are statistically significant and warrant further investigation. The researchers emphasized that their study’s limitations include gaps in data and the retrospective nature of the analysis, which may have introduced confounding variables.
Both studies underscore the complexity of interpreting observational data and the importance of ongoing research to fully understand the long-term health impacts of the vaccine. Experts agree that the findings do not diminish the overall benefits of vaccination but highlight the need for continued vigilance, proper diagnosis, and monitoring of respiratory and kidney health in the post-pandemic era.