Side effects of COVID-19 vaccines: sporadic cases reported in Luxembourg

More than 1.4 million doses of vaccines have been administered in Luxembourg since the start of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. According to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, only 0.18 per cent of all vaccinated persons reported any side effects. This means that the vast majority of the population did not experience any adverse effects after vaccination.

To date, 35 people have applied for compensation from the state for alleged side effects. However, the ministry clarified that only in three cases a causal link between the vaccination and the state of health has been established. In a few cases, the link was completely ruled out, and the remaining files are still undergoing medical examination.

These cases are examined by independent pathologists, who are not affiliated with the state and have not treated patients before. They are selected on the basis of the disease profile and, as the Ministry emphasises, work on the basis of recommendations from the Health Directorate.

Dr Gérard Schockmel, infectious disease specialist and MP for the Demokratesch Partei (DP), emphasises the difference between expected reactions (e.g. fever, pain at the injection site) and serious side effects such as thrombosis, heart attacks and strokes.

He emphasises that even such severe consequences "are also possible with natural exposure to the virus, and are more common than after vaccination". This is why the balance between benefit and risk was a decisive factor in launching the vaccination campaign, especially in a society that is completely immune;

In a pandemic, mass vaccination was a key step towards stabilising the situation. Data from Luxembourg confirm that the risk of serious consequences from the vaccine remains extremely low and that the compensation mechanism is transparent and based on medical expertise.