Coronavirus disease-19 vaccination and chemosensory dysfunction

ABSTRACT

Background: Chemosensory disturbances such as altered smell and taste sensations have a strong impact on health and quality of life. The lack of awareness of these chemosensory symptoms post-coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 vaccination has led to apprehension. When adequately addressed, it can encourage people to take vaccines which are a life-saving tool in this pandemic. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to assess the prevalence and duration of altered smell and taste post-COVID-19 vaccination. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted during January–August 2021. The Institutional Ethical Committee clearance was obtained. Data was collected from 242 COVID-19 vaccine beneficiaries majority of them being health care workers by online and offline survey questionnaires. Descriptive analysis was done using SPSS 21. Results: Out of 250 respondents, 242 completed the study. About 95% of them received CoviShield, 3.8% Covaxin, and 1.3% Pfizer. Perception of altered smell (olfactory dysfunction), taste (gustatory dysfunction), and both smell and taste was reported by 5.8%, 8.27%, and 2.61% of study participants. The mean duration was 3.43 ± 2.03 and 4 ± 1.64 days for altered smell and taste, respectively, with complete recovery. Conclusion: Chemosensory disturbances were reported in a small percentage of vaccine beneficiaries and all of them recovered within a few days completely without any medications. Vaccines are a critical tool in the battle against COVID-19 and we should emphasize on its health and lifesaving benefits and reassure those chemosensory disturbances have complete recovery.