Vulvar Aphthous Ulcer in an Adolescent After Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) COVID-19 Vaccination

Abstract

Background: Vulvar aphthous ulcers are a rare type of genital lesion most common in non-sexually active adolescents. Vulvar aphthous ulcers are typically associated with viral infections. To date, there have been several cases reported in patients infected with COVID-19. Vulvar aphthous ulcers following vaccination have not been previously reported in the literature.

Case: We present the case of a 16-year-old adolescent who developed vulvar aphthous ulceration following Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) vaccination.

Summary and conclusion: Through an extensive literature search, we found no previous reports of vulvar aphthous ulcer following vaccination. Our case highlights a potential novel side effect of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination and a new etiology for vulvar aphthous ulcers. This case suggests that vulvar aphthous ulcers might be associated with COVID-19 vaccination through a yet undetermined mechanism that requires further investigation.

Keywords: Adolescent gynecology; COVID-19 vaccine; Pediatric gynecology; Vulvar aphthous ulcer.