One of the most perplexing health challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic is the enigmatic condition known as long COVID. As the name suggests, it refers to a multitude of symptoms and conditions that persist beyond three-months after someone has been infected with the virus. These symptoms cannot be explained by other diagnoses, making it a puzzle that continues to baffle researchers and healthcare professionals alike.

Vaccines authorised for use are incredibly safe, but the risk for serious side effects is not ‘0’. Vaccine safety scientists exist because vaccines are not 100% safe. Just to be clear, nothing in the multi-verse is 100% safe but vaccines can come pretty close. The risks of COVID-19 disease are far greater than risks posed by the vaccines.

Vaccine safety signals are essential to stimulate questions about the potential relationship between a vaccine and an adverse event. However, it is crucial to follow a sequence of steps and conduct confirmatory studies before concluding a causal relationship between the vaccine and the adverse event exists. Good communication and appropriately designed association studies are critical steps in validating a safety signal.