Recovery from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue syndrome developed after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccination: A case report. — CFSMEATLAS
Recovery from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue syndrome developed after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccination: A case report.
Kurotori, Isaku, Sasao, Wataru, Abe, Masahiko · PCN reports : psychiatry and clinical neurosciences · 2025 · DOI
Quick Summary
This case report describes a 65-year-old woman who developed ME/CFS symptoms after receiving her third COVID-19 vaccine, including severe tiredness, worsening after activity, and dizziness. After 30 months of symptoms, she recovered using a combination approach that included careful activity management, medications, and mental health support. This is the first documented case showing full recovery from vaccine-associated ME/CFS.
Why It Matters
ME/CFS remains underrecognized as a potential vaccine adverse effect, and clinicians often lack diagnostic clarity. This case documenting full recovery offers hope to patients while highlighting that comprehensive, individualized treatment combining physical, pharmaceutical, and psychiatric approaches may be effective—important insights for treatment optimization.
Observed Findings
Patient developed severe fatigue, postexertional malaise, and orthostatic intolerance after third SARS-CoV-2 vaccination
Symptoms persisted for 30 months before improvement
Patient met established diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS
Comprehensive examination and testing excluded other potential diagnoses
Patient achieved full recovery following multimodal treatment including pacing, medications, and psychiatric intervention
Inferred Conclusions
ME/CFS can develop following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and may be reversible with appropriate comprehensive treatment
Psychiatric intervention and mental health support are important components of ME/CFS treatment strategy
Clinicians should recognize ME/CFS as a potential vaccine adverse effect and include it in differential diagnosis
Multimodal treatment combining activity pacing, pharmacology, and psychiatric care may be effective for vaccine-associated ME/CFS
Remaining Questions
What is the actual prevalence of ME/CFS following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination across different populations?
What specific treatment components (pacing, medications, psychiatric intervention) were most critical to this patient's recovery?
What This Study Does Not Prove
This single case report cannot establish causation between vaccination and ME/CFS development, nor can it prove that the described treatment regimen caused recovery. The findings cannot be generalized to other patients, and the coincidental timing of vaccination and ME/CFS onset does not exclude other triggering factors. Selection bias and lack of blinding are inherent limitations of case report methodology.