Bell's Palsy After Vaccination Against Covid‐19: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveThis systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to identify studies reporting the incidence of Bell's Palsy after vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19) and assess whether this incidence is greater than among the general population.Data SourcesPubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science.Review MethodsA systematic review was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses guidelines. Databases were searched from inception to May 9, 2022, for studies reporting the incidence of Bell's Palsy among individuals vaccinated against Covid‐19 and control populations. Meta‐analyses of odds ratios (ORs) were performed to compare the incidence of Bell's Palsy in these groups.ResultsWe identified 7 studies reporting the incidence of Bell's Palsy after vaccination and among the general population, including 20,234,931 total vaccinated patients. The length of postvaccination follow‐up ranged from 7 to 43 days in these studies. The incidence of Bell's Palsy was not significantly greater among vaccinated individuals (OR: 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65‐1.71; p = .82). Stratifying by dose, the incidence of Bell's Palsy was not significantly greater after receiving either the first dose (OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.47‐1.49; p = .54) or second dose (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.58‐1.79; p = .96).ConclusionAmong the available evidence, the incidence of Bell's Palsy after vaccination against Covid‐19 is comparable to that of the general unvaccinated population. Patient counseling should provide reassurance that there is no known association between Bell's Palsy and Covid‐19 vaccination.