COVID-19 Vaccine: Four Pfizer Volunteers Develop Temporary Facial Paralysis

New York: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revealed that the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech saw four volunteers developing temporary facial paralysis or Bell’s palsy during the phase 3 trials.

The US regulator stated on Wednesday that it was unclear how Bell’s palsy was caused in these volunteers. It stressed that doctors will have to closely monitor the side effects.

This facial paralysis usually occurs when a nerve that controls the muscles becomes inflamed, swollen or compressed.

Pfizer’s Chief Executive Officer, Albert Bourla said the company did not “cut any corners” while rolling out the vaccines.

“Always there are people who are sceptical about vaccines, but I have to say they are wrong,” the Pfizer CEO said on Wednesday.

Earlier, regulators in the UK had issued a warning to ask people with significant allergies not to take the shot after two NHS staff developed allergies.