This study aimed to summarise the available evidence of COVID-19 vaccination coverage, willingness, and safety profiles among patients with epilepsy.
A literature search was performed in Pubmed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register database between 1 January 2020 and 30 April 2022, including eligible studies that provided information on COVID-19 vaccination coverage, willingness, and safety profiles among patients with epilepsy. The association between baseline characteristics of patients with epilepsy and un-vaccination status was investigated using a fixed-effect model. The pooled overall willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 was calculated and the safety profiles after COVID-19 vaccination in patients with epilepsy were systematically reviewed.
Ten eligible observational studies and two case reports yielded 2589 participants with epilepsy or their caregivers. Among 2145 participants that provided the information of vaccination status, 1508 (70.3%) patients with epilepsy were not administered a COVID-19 vaccine, and 58% (95%CI 40-75%) of respondents were willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Seizure status (active versus inactive, OR 1.84 95%CI 1.41-2.39, I2 = 0%) rather than seizure type (focal versus non-focal, OR 1.22 95%CI 0.94-1.58, I2 = 0%) was associated with COVID-19 un-vaccination status. Vaccines were well-tolerated; epilepsy-related problems such as increase in seizure frequency and status epilepticus after COVID-19 vaccination were uncommon.
The findings suggest a low COVID-19 vaccination coverage and willingness in patients with epilepsy. According to this study, vaccination against COVID-19 appears to be well-tolerated and safe in patients with epilepsy, supporting a positive outlook toward vaccination in this population.
Lin K, Huang H, Fang S, Zheng G, Fu K, Liu N, Du H. Should patients with epilepsy be vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Epilepsy Behav. 2022 Jun 29;134:108822.
doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108822
Epub ahead of print.