Post-Vac
# Post-Vac

The term post-vac (or post-vac syndrome, post-vaccine syndrome, post-vax) is used in connection with long-standing symptoms somewhat similar to Long Covid symptoms. Although Latin / English-sounding the term is only common in Germany, Switzerland and Austria and does not indicate a defined disease or designation. No causal relationship has been found between the corona vaccination against COVID-19 and symptoms attributed to post-vac, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, orthostatic hypotension and Long covid-like symptoms. Post-vac has been little studied.

In Germany, the University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg (Universitätsklinikum Giessen und Marburg - UKGM) has established a treatment and research center for post-vac syndrome.

## Situation in Germany

The German Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI) publishes a safety reports on reports of suspected corona vaccine adverse reactions and complications related to the approved COVID-19 vaccines, and the PEI reviews these reports. In the 7 September 2022 safety notice, which covers a time period from 27 December 2020 to 30 June 2022, the PEI refers for the first time to the concept of post-vac syndrome and examines reports of long-standing complaints after vaccination. It was found that chronic fatigue, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and pulmonary Covid-like complaints after vaccination were no more common than would be expected based on normal incidence.

The follow-up statement from May 2023 on "post-vac" (data till mid-May 2023) and the comprehensive safety report (data till end of March 2023) from June 2023 from the Paul Ehrlich Institut (PEI) confirmed the odd circumstance that most reported cases of "Post-Vac" are reported from Germany.

### Reaction of the German health authorities

The German Federal Minister for Health, Karl Lauterbach, mentioned in a ZDF TV-interview on 12 March 2023 the occurrence of corona-vaccination damages and the post-vac syndrome. Lauterbach indicated that there was yet no drug available, nor a treatment method. He promised financial help for the victims.

Since the end of March 2023 the Bavarian ministry of health established a telephone hotline for people suspecting a "Post-Vac-Syndrom".

