Will Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine Cause Side Effects in People with Facial Fillers?

Unless you are one of the lucky few with no TV or social media, you have most certainly heard of the reported risk of facial-filler swelling associated with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. As a dermatology nurse practitioner with an aesthetics-focused practice, this headline caused a momentary panic--for both my patients’ and my own face.

…Until I read the facts.

In the phase 2 clinical trial of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, there were three reported cases of post-vaccine facial swelling. Two cases involved localized facial swelling and one reported lip angioedema. All three patients had a history of dermal filler injections. Each of these cases resolved with steroids and/or antihistamines. None required hospitalization nor the use of an Epi-pen. There were no long-term complications and Moderna included these potential adverse events in their prescribing information.

As with all vaccines, swelling of the lips or face is not an unheard-of side effect. Moreover, having a history of dermal fillers should not prevent someone from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine from any manufacturer. The risks and complications from being infected with COVID-19 outweigh the rare, minimal risks of transient facial swelling.

It should be noted that facial-filler swelling is a common reaction which I discuss with my patients. In my clinical experience, patients have reported mild tenderness and transient swelling of facial filler with common colds or viral infections unrelated to COVID-19. As cosmetic injectors, we should anticipate treating these reactions with steroids and/or antihistamines if no infection or occlusion is suspected. If unimproved, dissolving with Hylenex® or Vitrase® is required on some rare occasions.

This is a great example of why it is critical to do your own research beyond the “headlines,” especially in a news cycles surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines. Ultimately, there are risks associated with any cosmetic procedure, vaccine, or anything else in life, and it is important to be able to accurately and precisely communicate these risks to our patients--so that they can make an informed decision for themselves. Although rare and non-life threating, patients should be made aware of this possible side effect during every cosmetic consultation appointment.

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine FDA EUA

Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine FDA EUA

Allie McAllister NP-C is certified as a family nurse practitioner as well as a dermatology nurse practitioner. She currently works as a provider alongside a team of world class dermatology experts at Skin Cancer Specialists serving the greater Atlanta area.