Association of COVID-19 Vaccination With Changes in Smell and Taste.

ABSTRACT

Since the introduction of vaccines for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in the United States, there has been significant vaccine hesitancy, in part due to fear of adverse effects. We sought to investigate the rates of smell and taste changes after COVID-19 vaccination compared to other common vaccines. Our study cohort included individuals identified by Current Procedural Terminology code in the TriNetX database receiving the COVID-19 first series, COVID-19 booster, influenza, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (TDAP), or pneumococcal vaccines between December 15, 2020, and August 15, 2023. After 11 propensity score matching, postvaccination incidence of disturbance of smell and taste was significantly less likely after COVID-19 first series vaccine compared to influenza (odds ratios, OR 0.27 [95% confidence interval, CI 0.20-0.36]), TDAP (OR 0.35 [95% CI 0.26-0.47]), and pneumococcal vaccines (OR 0.17 [95% CI 0.09-0.32]). Similarly, incidence of disturbance of smell and taste was significantly less likely after COVID-19 booster vaccine compared to the influenza (OR 0.60 [95% CI 0.48-0.76]), TDAP (OR 0.63 [95% CI 0.47-0.85]), and pneumococcal vaccines (OR 0.44 [95% CI 0.28-0.68]). This study builds upon the literature demonstrating the safety of COVID-19 vaccination.