The FDA advisory committee reviewing the new Moderna vaccine noted a specific side effect involving several trial participants with cosmetic face fillers.
According to the plastic surgeon in the Carmel Valley, dr. Amir Karam, swelling of the face has been seen in a small number of patients.
‘So what they saw in the 30,000 member trial that Moderna did is that they found that three of the patients had a reaction to the filler. The reaction was localized to the place where the filler was placed, so in some cases it was the lip and cheek, ‘he said.
One of the participants had filler two weeks before vaccination, another had done it six months before.
Millions of people have cosmetic face fillers that are administered by doctors to smooth fine lines, wrinkles and improve cheeks and lips. Karam says the response to the vaccine is immunological.
‘What happens is that you take a vaccine and that your immune system suddenly boosts. ‘The thinking is basically due to the effect of the immune system that it targets the areas in which you fill and causes a more robust inflammatory response,’ ‘he said.
He also said that this possible side effect should not stop people from getting the vaccine when their turn comes. Karam said all the derma fillers can be easily treated by medical staff.
But what if people do have filler and get a mild reaction? Karam said: “I think if it is localized, a very gentle reaction just because the areas are swollen, I think the first step is to make contact with the doctor who injected the filler.”
If someone gets a severe anaphylactic reaction, they should go to the ER immediately for help.