Introduction:

Rhabdomyolysis is characterized by skeletal muscle injury. It has been described as a complication of COVID-19 infection, but few cases associated with COVID-19 vaccination have been reported.

Case report:

After the hospital discharge of an 80-year-old female patient, the family doctor received the admission report for pain and weakness in her lower limbs. Common causes of rhabdomyolysis were excluded; however, it is noteworthy that she had been given the first dose of the vaccine against COVID-19 (Vaxzevria®) one day prior to admission. After management, the symptoms improved, and she was discharged. After a complete evaluation, the patient was found to have vaccine-related rhabdomyolysis, becoming one of the first cases of rhabdomyolysis following an adenoviral vector-based vaccine for COVID-19.

Comment:

Physicians should be aware of the possibility of COVID-19 vaccine-induced rhabdomyolysis as a potentially serious side-effect in patients with myalgia, weakness, and dark urine. Nonetheless, the benefit-risk assessment shows a favorable balance.

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