COVID-19 Vaccines: A Radiological Review of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Abstract

The World Health Organization has declared “with great hope” an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency. The vaccination drive that started in December 2020 played a crucial role in controlling the pandemic. However, the pace at which COVID-19 vaccines were developed and deployed for general population use led to vaccine hesitancy, largely owing to concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of the vaccines. Radiology has been instrumental in demonstrating the extent of pulmonary involvement and identification of the complications of COVID-19, and the same holds true for vaccine-related complications. This review summarizes the existing body of radiological literature regarding the efficacy, adverse events, and imaging pitfalls that accompany the global rollout of various COVID-19 vaccines.