COVID Vaccines Do Not Cause Herpes Simplex

Seeing the word “herpes” in a headline can be alarming, because it’s commonly associated with herpes simplex, or genital herpes, a sexually transmitted disease. The original study referenced by the NY Post was investigating five patients who’d developed herpes zoster, also known as shingles. It can be reactivated at any time after the patient has been exposed to the original form of the virus, varicella, or chickenpox, which most people have when they are children.

The lead researcher for the study, Victoria Furer, told The Jerusalem Post, “We cannot say the vaccine is the cause at this point. We can say it might be a trigger in some patients.” The vaccine may be a trigger because it can sometimes cause immune reactions which lead to flare-ups of pre-existing infections. Again, many people may have the virus already dormant in their bodies. 

Furer said that further research would be required to determine cause and effect. She also added that she hoped this study wouldn’t scare people. “The overall message is to get vaccinated,” she said. “It is just important to be aware.” 

The CDC says that side effects after the vaccine are normal, and they are a sign that your body is building protection against the virus. More than 900 million shots have been administered safely around the world.