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. 2021 Jul 27;10(2):1309–1330. doi: 10.1007/s40122-021-00296-3

Headache Attributed to Vaccination Against COVID-19 (Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2) with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) Vaccine: A Multicenter Observational Cohort Study

Carl H Göbel 1,2,✉, Axel Heinze 2, Sarah Karstedt 2, Mascha Morscheck 2, Lilian Tashiro 2, Anna Cirkel 1,2, Qutyaba Hamid 3,4, Rabih Halwani 3,4, Mohamad-Hani Temsah 5, Malte Ziemann 6, Siegfried Görg 6, Thomas Münte 1, Hartmut Göbel 2
PMCID: PMC8314854  PMID: 34313952

Abstract

Introduction

The most frequently reported neurological adverse event of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine is headache in 57.5%. Several cases of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) have developed after vaccination. Headache is the leading symptom of CVT. For the differential diagnosis of headaches attributed to this vaccine and headaches attributed to CVT, it is of central clinical importance whether and, if so, how the phenotypes and course of these headaches can be differentiated. The study aims to examine in detail the phenotype of headache attributed to this vaccine.

Methods

Data on the clinical features and corresponding variables were recorded using a standardized online questionnaire in this multicenter observational cohort study. The primary outcomes of this study are the clinical features of headaches after vaccination.

Findings

A total of 2464 participants reported headaches after vaccination with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine. On average, headaches occurred 14.5 ± 21.6 h after vaccination and lasted 16.3 ± 30.4 h. A bilateral location was described by 75.8% of participants. This is most often found on the forehead (40.0%) and temples (31.4%); 50.4% reported a pressing and 37.7% a dull pain character. Headache intensity was most often severe (38.7%), moderate (35.2%), or very severe (15.5%). Accompanying symptoms were most commonly fatigue (44.8%), chills (36.1%), exhaustion (34.9%), and fever (30.4%).

Conclusion

Headaches attributed to COVID-19 vaccination with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine demonstrate an extensive and characteristic complex of symptoms. The findings have several important clinical implications for the differentiation of post-vaccinal headache and other primary as well as secondary headaches.

Keywords: COVID-19, Novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine, Vaccination, Side effects, Cerebral venous thrombosis, Headache, International Classification of Headache Disorders, ICHD-3

Key Summary Points

Why carry out this study?
The most frequently reported neurological adverse event of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine is headache in 57.5%.
Several cases of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) have developed after vaccination. Headache is the leading symptom of CVT.
For the differential diagnosis of headaches attributed to this vaccine and other primary or secondary headaches, it is of central clinical importance whether and, if so, how the phenotypes and course of these headaches can be differentiated.
The study aims to analyze and describe in detail the phenotype of headache attributed to ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine.
What was learned from the study?
Headaches attributed to COVID-19 vaccination with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine demonstrate an extensive complex of symptoms.
The specific set of accompanying symptoms, along with the temporal and spatial headache characteristics describe a characteristic headache phenotype for headaches attributed to COVID-19 vaccination.
The findings have several important clinical implications for the differentiation of post-vaccinal headache and headache due to cerebral venous thrombosis as a complication of vaccination.
On the basis of this analysis and by analogy to the ICHD-3, we are proposing new diagnostic criteria of headaches attributed to COVID-19 vaccination with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine.
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Introduction

In December 2019, cases of atypical viral pneumonia of unknown cause became known in Wuhan, China. A novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified as the causative agent of this coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The virus has been spreading pandemically since then [1, 2]. The most common symptoms are fever, cough, fatigue, breathing difficulties, and loss of smell and taste. While the infection may present with mild to moderate intensity in some patients, severe forms may result in pronounced dyspnea, respiratory failure, and ultimately death [3]. In addition to behavioral interventions, such as social distancing, newly developed vaccinees that are available since the second half of 2020 are the most important countermeasures to prevent the spread of the virus [4].

According to the available data, vaccinees approved by regulatory authorities so far have a positive efficacy and side effect profile [4–11]. Worldwide, there are currently 66 vaccinees in clinical and 176 in preclinical development [4], some of which are already approved. This study is part of a series of analyses of headache as a side effect following vaccination against COVID-19 with various vaccinees. Here we report on the phenotype of headache attributed to vaccination against COVID-19 (coronavirus SARS-CoV-2) with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine.

ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine is a monovalent vaccine composed of a single recombinant, replication-deficient chimpanzee adenovirus (ChAdOx1) vector encoding the S glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 [9, 12–21]. The vaccine is administered intramuscularly in two doses given between 4 and 12 weeks apart. It is indicated for active immunization to prevent COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 in individuals 18 years of age and older [9, 14]. According to the data available, the most frequently reported neurological adverse event attributed to vaccination against COVID-19 (coronavirus SARS-CoV-2) with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine is headache in 57.5% of those vaccinated [9, 14, 16, 22]. Detailed information about the clinical characteristics of this headache has not yet been described. The phase 3 clinical trial results only mention that mild headaches occur in 37.6%, moderate headaches in 17.6%, and severe headaches in 2.4% [14].

Several cases of cerebral venous thrombosis and other unusual thrombotic events with thrombocytopenia have developed after vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine [23]. This has led to extensive age restrictions in many countries around the world, including the complete cessation of the use of this vaccine. Headache is the leading symptom of cerebral venous thrombosis [24]. For the differential diagnosis of headaches attributed to this vaccine and headaches attributed to cerebral venous thrombosis, it is of central clinical importance whether and, if so, how the phenotypes and course of these headaches can be differentiated.

Vaccination-associated headaches are not yet classified by the International Classification of Headache Disorders ICHD-3, nor are diagnostic criteria provided [25]. Furthermore, the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine is a novel vaccine not previously used [14]. A detailed clinical phenotype of vaccination-associated headaches is not known to date, including for example the precise latency between vaccination and occurrence of the headache, its duration, pain character and localization, accompanying symptoms, pain-modulating factors as well as possible comorbid conditions.

The currently undergoing global vaccination campaign against COVID-19 allows this new form of headache to be studied alongside. The aim of this study is thus to delineate the detailed clinical characteristics of headaches occurring after vaccination against COVID-19 with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine.

Methods

Study Design and Setting

This continuous multicenter observational cohort study accompanying the COVID-19 vaccination campaign aims to analyze the headache phenotype after vaccination with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine. The ethics committee of the University of Kiel approved the study (D403/21), which was performed in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki of 1964 and its subsequent revisions. All subjects gave their informed consent prior to participation.

Specific aspects of the headache phenotype and related variables are collected using a publicly available online questionnaire. The questionnaire is available in multiple languages, and it consists of 43 questions about the clinical characteristics of headaches after the COVID-19 vaccination. The questions are divided into the following groups: type of vaccine used, the occurrence of headaches after vaccination, possible headaches after previous vaccinations against other diseases, temporal parameters of the headache, headache localization, headache characteristics, headache intensity, accompanying symptoms, previous history of headaches, other comorbid diseases, and sociodemographic variables.

Here we present data collected from the vaccinees between January 8, 2021 and April 4, 2021. According to the German ordinance on the entitlement to vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, vaccinations were given with the highest priority to people over the age of 80, as well as to inhabitants and employees at residential care homes for the elderly. Healthcare workers at a very high risk of exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus also received the highest priority for vaccination. Since direct contact with the vaccines is not possible because of data protection regulations, the management of the residential care homes was contacted by email and asked to pass on the information about the study to the residents and staff. Twelve thousand residential care homes in Germany were contacted. In addition, the departments responsible for organizing COVID-19 vaccinations at the university hospitals in Germany and the United Arab Emirates were contacted, asking to inform the employees about the study. Attention was also drawn to the study via the institutes’ websites and social media platforms. This evaluation reports the clinical headache characteristics of those patients who received ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine.

Data Collection

The data on the clinical features and corresponding variables were recorded using a standardized online questionnaire, the answers of which were collected in an online database system (questionnaire link: https://schmerzklinik.de/impfung). Subjects were informed at the beginning of the questionnaire that data were collected anonymously, meaning that as a result of this anonymization it would not be possible to revoke participation in the study after any answers have been sent. Participants could complete the questionnaire at any time after the onset of headache, there was no time limit. Since data collection was initiated immediately with the start of the vaccination campaign, the answers generally refer to the first dose.

Outcomes

The primary outcomes of this study are the clinical features of headache after vaccination against COVID-19 with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine. In addition, comorbidities, treatment with medication, and sociodemographic variables are analyzed.

Bias and Missing Data

Medical staff in tertiary university hospitals and people being cared for in residential care homes for the elderly are overrepresented in this study compared to the general population, as both belonged to the groups with the highest vaccination priority in Germany. The study cannot analyze headache characteristics from people who did not voluntarily participate in this study. Complete data were not available for all variables, so the denominators differ between individual analyses. Missing data were not assumed for this descriptive analysis.

Statistical Analysis

The arithmetic mean and standard deviations are used to represent continuous variables. Frequency (%), unless otherwise stated, is used to represent categorical variables. Statistical analysis for significant differences or continuous variables was done using the t test. The statistical information is based on non-missing data. The 5% significance level (alpha = 0.05) was considered to be statistically significant. Statistical analyzes were carried out using SPSS 27.

Results

Participants

During the study period from January 8, 2021 till April 4, 2021, 2464 participants reported that headaches had occurred after vaccination against COVID-19 with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine (Table 1). The participants consisted of 84.7% women and 15.2% men. The mean height was 170.2 ± 8.1 cm and the mean body weight 75.8 ± 18.6 kg. The mean age was 39.8 ± 12.7 years at the time of vaccination, the median was 39 years, and the range was 18–78 years (Fig. 1); 92.6% of the participants reported that they had not experienced any headaches following previous vaccinations (Fig. 2) and 7.4% of the participants indicated that they had. In the latter group, 90.2% reported that the headache after COVID-19 vaccination was different from previous headaches after previous vaccinations, so only 9.8% of the participants experienced similar headaches after their COVID-19 vaccination compared to previous vaccinations. No prior history of headache disorders was reported by 35.3% of the participants; 26.9% of participants reported a tension-type headache, 15.3% a migraine, and 12.6% the coexistence of both tension-type headache and migraine; 0.9% reported cluster headaches; 8.7% reported a history of other headache disorders (Fig. 3). The most common other comorbid diseases were metabolic/hormonal (22.7%), pulmonary (20.8%), and mental disorders (13.0%). A complete list of frequencies can be found in Fig. 4.

Table 1.

Demographic data of patients

Parameter Value
n 2464
Sex, no. (%)
 Female 1534 (84.7%)
 Male 276 (15.2%)
Age at vaccination (years)
 Arithmetic mean 39.0
 Standard deviation 12.7
 Median 39
 Range 18–78
Height (cm) 170.2 ± 8.1
Body weight (kg) 75.8 ± 18.6
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Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

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Age distribution (years) of participants

Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

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Relative frequency distribution of headaches after previous vaccinations

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

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Frequency distribution of history of other headache disorders

Fig. 4.

Fig. 4

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Frequency distribution of comorbid diseases

Temporal Parameters of Headache after Vaccination Against COVID-19

The average latency between vaccination against COVID-19 and the onset of headaches was 14.5 ± 21.6 h. Over half of the vaccinees experienced the headache after less than 10 h and 80% within 20 h after the vaccination. In less than 6.3% of the participants, the headaches only began more than 2 days after the vaccination (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5.

Fig. 5

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Cumulative frequency distribution of latency (h) between vaccination and onset of headache

The headache duration was 16.3 ± 30.4 h on average. In 50% of the vaccinees the headache duration was less than 6 h, and in 74.9%, it was less than 22 h. The headache lasted longer than 48 h in just 4.8% of the participants. The longest headache duration reported in a single case was 504 h (Fig. 6).

Fig. 6.

Fig. 6

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Cumulative frequency distribution of duration (h) of headache attributed to COVID-19 vaccination

Overall, 67.4% of participants indicated that the headache occurred continuously as a single episode without interruption; 32.6% reported that the headache occurred in multiple phases.

Headache Location and Radiation

The headache was most frequently located in the forehead area (40.0% left, 39.7% right) followed by the temple region (30.4% left, 31.4% right) and the back of the head (24.1% left, 24.6% right). Retro-orbital pain was reported by 24.7%. Pain on the top of the skull was indicated by 21.6%, on the left side of the neck by 17.8%, and on the right side by 19.6% (Fig. 7).

Fig. 7.

Fig. 7

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Frequency distribution of headache location

A bilateral headache occurred in 75.8% of the participants. A non-varying unilateral pain was indicated by 17.2% of the participants. An alternating one-sided headache was reported by 7.0% of the participants (Fig. 8).

Fig. 8.

Fig. 8

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Frequency distribution of headache side lateralization

No radiation of pain was experienced by 56.6% of the participants, pain radiating to the neck and shoulder by 26.6%, and to the forehead and temples by 16.7% (Fig. 9).

Fig. 9.

Fig. 9

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Frequency distribution of radiation of pain

Headache Character

Overall, 50.4% of the participants indicated a pressing and 37.7% a dull pain character (Fig. 10). Less commonly, 18.0% of the patients experienced a pulsating pain (wave-like fluctuations of pain with every heartbeat) and 17.3% a stinging pain (repeated short stabs of pain) character. A throbbing pain (pulsing, beating sensation happening over and over again) was reported by 16.28%, a pounding pain by 14.4%, and a pulling pain by 13.1% of the participants. Other pain characters were reported by less than 10% of the participants.

Fig. 10.

Fig. 10

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Frequency distribution of headache character

Headache Intensity

After COVID-19 vaccination with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine, the headache intensity was documented as severe by 38.7% of the participants, moderate by 35.2%, and very severe by 15.5%. A mild headache was documented by 9.1% and a very mild headache by 1.5% of the participants (Fig. 11).

Fig. 11.

Fig. 11

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Frequency distribution of headache intensity

Overall, 45.6% of the participants found that routine physical activity did not affect headache intensity; 49.6% indicated that routine physical activity did indeed worsen the headache, while 4.7% found that routine physical activity actually relieved the headache (Fig. 12).

Fig. 12.

Fig. 12

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Frequency distribution of effect of routine physical activity on headache

Accompanying Symptoms

We evaluated migraine-typical accompanying symptoms and other accompanying symptoms separately. Sensitivity to noise (33.4%), sensitivity to light (31.8%), and nausea (28.1%) were the most frequently reported symptoms typical of migraine. Loss of appetite (24.2%), hypersensitivity to smell (3.7%), and vomiting (4.0%) were less common (Fig. 13).

Fig. 13.

Fig. 13

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Frequency distribution of migraine-like accompanying symptoms

The most frequently reported other accompanying symptoms were fatigue (44.8%), chills (36.1%), exhaustion (34.9%), and fever (30.4%) (Fig. 14). With a frequency between 10.6% and 28.2%, the participants experienced weakness, joint pain, dizziness, neck pain, increased perspiration, poor concentration, and reddening of the vaccination site. Sensitivity to touch, muscle pain, unsteadiness when walking, neck stiffness, irritability, anxiety, pale skin, tearfulness, and visual disturbances were experienced with a frequency between 5% and 10%. Other accompanying symptoms experienced by less than 5% are listed in Fig. 14.

Fig. 14.

Fig. 14

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Frequency distribution of further accompanying symptoms

Association with Pre-existing Headache Disorders

We also investigated the effect of pre-existing headache illnesses on quantitative parameters of headaches after COVID-19 vaccination to uncover a possible connection between pre-existing headache disorders and headache occurring after COVID-19 vaccination (Table 2). In participants with a history of migraine, there was no effect on the time between the vaccination and the onset of the headache compared to participants who had no primary headache. However, headache duration after COVID-19 vaccination was significantly longer in patients with a history of migraine than in participants without primary headache (20.9 ± 32.6 vs. 13.0 ± 18.5 h; p = 0.002). Furthermore, patients with migraine (3.7 ± 0.8 vs. 3.2 ± 0.9; p < 0.001) and tension-type headache (3.5 ± 0.8 vs. 3.2 ± 0.9; p < 0.010) reported a significantly higher headache pain intensity on the verbal rating scale (VRS 0–5) after COVID-19 vaccination compared to participants who had no history of migraine.

Table 2.

Comparison of patients with pre-existing primary headaches (migraine, tension-type headache, or cluster headache) with patients without pre-existing primary headaches with regard to quantitative parameters of headaches attributed to COVID-19 vaccination with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine

Migraine Tension-type headache Cluster headache No primary headaches
Latency between vaccination and onset of headache (hours) 14.3 ± 20.6 14.2 ± 20.0 9.4 ± 4.5 14.8 ± 22.9
n = 274 n = 497 n = 16 n = 1060
p = 0.719 p = 0.582 p = 0.343
Duration of headache attributed to COVID-19 vaccination (hours) 20.9 ± 32.6 16.8 ± 35.2 22.0 ± 35.6 13.0 ± 18.5
n = 201 n = 361 n = 11 n = 490
p = 0.002 p = 0.159 p = 0.333
Intensity of headache attributed to COVID-19 vaccination (VRS 0–5) 3.7 ± 0.8 3.5 ± 0.8 3.6 ± 0.9 3.2 ± 0.9
n = 247 n = 501 n = 16 n = 602
p < 0.001 p = 0.010 p = 0.479
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Arithmetic mean and standard deviation. Statistical analysis using t test

Participants with a history of tension-type headache or cluster headache showed no difference in the time interval between vaccination and the onset of headache as well as the duration of the headache after COVID-19 vaccination compared to participants without primary headache (Table 2).

Gender Differences

There were no significant differences in the latency between vaccination and onset of headache and the duration of the headache between women and men (Table 3). The same was true regarding the headache intensity (VRS 0–5) attributed to COVID-19 vaccination (3.6 ± 0.9 in women vs 3.2 ± 0.8 in men; p < 0.000).

Table 3.

Group comparison of women and men with regard to quantitative parameters of headaches attributed to COVID-19 vaccination with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine

Women Men t test
Latency between vaccination and onset of headache (hours) 14.3 ± 20.9 15.6 ± 23.8 p = 0.342
n = 1518 n = 274
Duration of headache attributed to COVID-19 vaccination (hours) 17.3 ± 33.4 13.7 ± 16.6 p = 0.130
n = 1086 n = 207
Intensity of headache attributed to COVID-19 vaccination (VRS 0–5) 3.6 ± 0.9 3.2 ± 0.8 p < 0.001
n = 1533 n = 276
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Arithmetic mean and standard deviation. Statistical analysis using t test

Age Effect

To analyze an age effect, we split up participants into a group of up to 55 years of age and older than 55 years of age. We found no significant differences regarding the interval between vaccination and onset of the headache, as well as the duration of the headache (Table 4) between these two age groups. However, the headache intensity was significantly higher in vaccinated people under 55 years of age than 55 years of age and above (3.2 ± 0.9 vs. 3.6 ± 0.8; p < 0.000).

Table 4.

Age group comparison of participants aged ≥ 55 years and < 55 years with regard to quantitative parameters of headaches attributed to COVID-19 vaccination with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine

 ≥ 55  < 55 t test
Latency between vaccination and onset of headache (hours) 15.4 ± 19.9 14.3 ± 21.7 p = 0.473
n = 271 n = 1519
Duration of headache attributed to COVID-19 vaccination (hours) 15.7 ± 22.4 16.9 ± 32.7 p = 0.609
n = 191 n = 1101
Intensity of headache attributed to COVID-19 vaccination (VRS 0–5) 3.2 ± 0.9 3.6 ± 0.8 p < 0.001
n = 273 n = 1533
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Arithmetic mean and standard deviation. Statistical analysis using t test

Treatment

Regarding acute headache medication, 53.1% of the participants used paracetamol, followed by ibuprofen (50.7%) and metamizole (12.0%). Other medications used are listed in Fig. 15.

Fig. 15.

Fig. 15

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Frequency distribution of medication used

Participants taking multiple drugs were asked to rank for the most effective drug. Figure 16 shows the relative frequency with which an active ingredient was rated as the most effective drug. Accordingly, acetylsalicylic acid was most frequently named as the most effective treatment option by 46.2%.

Fig. 16.

Fig. 16

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Frequency of medication rated as most effective

Discussion

Headaches attributed to COVID-19 vaccination with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine show an extensive complex of symptoms with concise clinical characteristics. The specific set of accompanying symptoms along with the temporal and spatial headache characteristics characterize a unique headache phenotype for headaches attributed to COVID-19 vaccination. This phenotype is different from that of primary headaches. These headaches occur with similar symptoms across all age groups. Less than 8% of those affected experienced headaches resulting from previous vaccinations. And of these, over 90% report that the headache after COVID-19 vaccination is different from the headache following previous other vaccinations. On average, headache attributed to COVID-19 vaccination occurs 15 h after vaccination with a duration of 17 h. In around two-thirds the headache lasts between 1 and 12 h. Over 67% experience a monophasic headache. The headache occurs bilaterally in more than 75%, the main localization being the forehead, temples, back of the head, and retro-orbital region. They do not commonly radiate to other regions. The pain character is most commonly described as pressing and dull, with pain intensity being most often moderate to severe. Routine physical activity can aggravate the pain. The most frequent accompanying symptoms are fatigue, chills, exhaustion, sensitivity to noise, and sensitivity to light. In women, the intensity of headache is significantly greater than in men. People younger than 55 years of age have significantly higher headache intensities than those who are vaccinated aged 55 or above.

In the clinical approval studies, the use of paracetamol was recommended prophylactically prior to vaccination in all trials (except in study COV005; it was introduced as an amendment during study COV001 [14]. The vaccinees were recommended to continue with 1000 mg of paracetamol in 6-h intervals for 24 h to reduce vaccine-induced side effects. The COV001 study analyzed the effect of paracetamol on immunogenicity using a standardized ELISA on participants [19]. When study participants who received paracetamol were compared with those who did not, differences in the generation of anti-S responses were not observed. However, it is possible that the headache phenotype was mitigated in these studies by the prophylactic administration of paracetamol. In the open application within the scope of this study, no prophylactic administration of paracetamol took place. In Germany, the preventive use of paracetamol was not recommended. It is also not included in the package insert. The headache phenotype recorded here can therefore provide a more realistic, unmasked picture.

The uncovered headache phenotype in our study is neither that of migraine nor that of a tension-type headache. It may be possible that clinical symptoms of these two primary headaches are included in the questionnaire reports and overlap with the headache phenotype attributed to COVID-19 vaccination. However, the described symptom complex of headache attributed to COVID-19 vaccination with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) differs markedly from the aforementioned primary headaches.

The International Classification of Headache Disorders [25] lists headaches attributed to intracranial and systemic infections, either bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic. Headaches attributed to systemic viral infection are also described. A specific headache phenotype, however, is not described in these cases. Headaches after vaccination are not yet listed in the International Classification of Headache Disorders. In particular, no detailed knowledge exists about the form of headaches occurring after vaccination with a single recombinant, replication-deficient chimpanzee adenovirus (ChAdOx1) vector encoding the S glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 in general and specifically with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine. For the first time, the findings described in this report provide an overview of the phenotype of this headache, which can occur in more than 57% of the participants after vaccination as the most frequent neurological symptom [9, 14]. In Table 5, we summarize the results, and we propose diagnostic criteria for acute and persistent headaches attributed to COVID-19 vaccination with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine by analogy to the current ICHD-3 criteria [25], subject to further empirical studies.

Table 5.

Proposal for diagnostic criteria of headaches attributed to COVID-19 vaccination with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine

graphic file with name 40122_2021_296_Tab5_HTML.jpg

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Knowledge of these diagnostic criteria is crucial because these headaches may occur in patients who have no other headache disorder. It also allows one to differentiate vaccination-attributed headaches from other spontaneously occurring headache causes. While headaches in relation to a systemic viral infection typically have no specific headache characteristics regarding temporal aspects, pain character, location, and accompanying symptoms, the findings of this study delineate a specific headache phenotype with characteristic accompanying symptoms.

Our findings have several important clinical implications for the differentiation of headache after vaccination with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine, which can occur in over 57% of vaccinated persons [14] and headache due to cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). Headache is by far the most frequent symptom of CVT, present in 80–90% of cases, and also the most frequent inaugural symptom [25]. These headaches show no specific characteristics, but most often are diffuse, progressive and severe, and associated with other signs of intracranial hypertension. CVT can also mimic other primary and secondary headaches. In over 90%, CVT is associated with focal neurological signs and/or signs of intracranial hypertension, subacute encephalopathy, or cavernous sinus syndrome.

Post-vaccination headaches occur on average within 15 h and last for 16 h. Only less than 5% of those vaccinated have headaches that last longer than 3 days. Focal neurological signs such as speech disorders, sensory disorders, or double vision occur in less than 3%. The headaches are usually monophasic and do not show an undulating course. The headaches are mainly present in the forehead and temple area and show a dull, pressing character. In contrast, venous or arterial thrombosis can develop approximately 5–20 days after vaccination [23]. If headaches only commence at this point after the vaccination (or recur after the initial post-vaccinal headache has subsided), accompanied by thrombocytopenia and focal neurological signs, this may indicate CVT.

Headaches attributed to a systemic viral infection require, according to ICHD-3 [25], diagnostic evidence of a systemic viral infection without evidence of meningitis or encephalitis. The headache must be closely related to the onset of the viral infection, aggravate as the viral infection worsens, and improve as the viral infection disappears. The pain is described as diffuse and of moderate or severe intensity. However, headaches attributed to vaccination against COVID-19 with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine are not due to a systemic viral infection. For the first time, we describe the precise time between vaccination and onset of the headache, the headache duration, the headache character, the location, and the specific accompanying symptoms in this study. These characteristics have not yet found their way into the international headache classification.

The pathophysiological mechanisms of headache attributed to vaccination against COVID-19 remain unclear. Whether the S glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2, synthesized intracellularly using the gene supplied by the vaccine, is itself responsible for the headache or whether it is due to the resulting immune response triggered by that protein [8, 26–32] must remain open at present. The intracellular formation of the spike protein and the triggered immune response could be directly related to the development of the headache phenotype described, including the accompanying symptoms of fatigue, chills, exhaustion, weakness, joint pain, and dizziness. It is speculated that microorganisms may activate anti-inflammatory substances such as nitric oxide, prostaglandins, and cytokines [29]. During a COVID-19 infection, vast amounts of proinflammatory cytokines can be released. According to our results, 36.1% of subjects with headaches attributed to vaccination reported chills and 30.4% fever as an accompanying symptom. Therefore, it can be assumed that inflammatory mediators are also involved in the development of headaches attributed to COVID-19 vaccination. Pre-existing primary headache disorders such as migraine lead to an increased duration and pain intensity of the headache attributed to COVID-19 vaccination. It is possible that the sensitization with hyperexcitability of trigeminovascular neurons existing in primary headaches causes an increase in pain sensitivity and that this is relevant for the increased duration and pain intensity of headaches attributed to COVID-19 vaccination.

This study has a number of limitations. Participants with particularly pronounced headaches might have preferentially participated in this voluntary recruitment. The discovered clinical headache phenotype could thus represent particularly severe forms. However, we tried to capture the headache phenotype in the most detailed way possible by recruiting a very large number of participants. The vaccinations were not started until the age of 18 years. Therefore, it is unlikely that new-onset primary headaches are confounded with the data. Regarding the gender ratio with more women than men, a definitive statement is not possible. As study participation was voluntary and the population of vaccinees is unknown, it is possible that an excessive number of headache sufferers from the group of women participated in the study, given a disproportionate proportion of female vaccinees in the study. The responder rate of patients from residential care homes was significantly lower than the responder rate of university hospital staff. In addition, vaccination among hospital staff was initially very rapid. This explains the higher age distribution of the working participants. The high proportion of female participants can be explained by the high number of female employees in hospitals (female doctors, nurses, administrative staff, assistants). Because headaches occur very frequently irrespective of any vaccination, the data may be confounded by these other headaches. We did not attempt to delineate the frequency of headache occurrence after the COVID-19 vaccination. The phase 3 clinical trials of the various vaccination candidates provide this information by recording the frequency of possible side effects of the vaccination [5, 7–11, 16, 33–38]. Contrarily, no precise information regarding the clinical phenotype is contained in these studies. Whether the headache phenotype described here occurs in the same way or in a different form with other vaccines against COVID-19 remains still open and is subject to further subgroup analyses in this study series [39].

Conclusions

Headaches attributed to COVID-19 vaccination with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine demonstrate an extensive and characteristic complex of symptoms. The set of accompanying symptoms, along with the temporal and spatial headache characteristics describe a unique headache phenotype for headaches attributed to COVID-19 vaccination. The findings have several important clinical implications for the differentiation of post-vaccinal headache and other primary as well as secondary headaches. On the basis of the findings, new diagnostic criteria for this form of headache can be developed.

Acknowledgements

We thank the participants of the study.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. No funding was received for the publication of this article.

Authorship

All named authors meet the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) criteria for authorship for this article, take responsibility for the integrity of the work as a whole, and have given their approval for this version to be published.

Authors’ Contributions

Dr. Carl H. Göbel—design and conceptualization of the study, interpretation of the results, contributed to statistical analysis, writing of the first draft of the manuscript. Dr. Axel Heinze—contribution to interpretation and analysis. Sarah Karstedt—contribution to interpretation and analysis. Mascha Morscheck—contribution to interpretation and analysis. Lilian Tashiro—contribution to interpretation and analysis. Dr. Anna Cirkel—contribution to interpretation and analysis. Prof. Qutyaba Hamid—contribution to interpretation and analysis. Prof. Rabih Halwani—contribution to interpretation and analysis. Dr. Mohamad-Hani Temsah—contribution to interpretation and analysis. Dr. Malte Ziemann—contribution to interpretation and analysis. Prof. Siegfried Görg—contribution to interpretation and analysis. Prof. Thomas Münte—design and conceptualization of the study, contribution to interpretation and analysis. Prof. Hartmut Göbel—design and conceptualization of the study, contributed to statistical analysis, co-writing of the manuscript.

Disclosures

Dr. Carl H. Göbel, Dr. Axel Heinze, Dr. Sarah Karstedt, Mascha Morscheck, Lilian Tashiro, Dr. Anna Cirkel, Prof. Qutyaba Hamid, Prof. Rabih Halwani, Dr. Mohamad-Hani Temsah, Dr. Malte Ziemann, Prof. Siegfried Görg, Prof. Thomas Münte and Prof. Hartmut Göbel declare no financial conflicts and no competing interests.

Compliance with Ethics Guidelines

The ethics committee of the medical faculty of the Christian-Albrechts University Kiel approved the study (D403/21). All subjects gave their informed consent prior to participation. The study was performed in agreement with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Data Availability Statement

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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