What Causes Lichen Planus?

Flu Vaccine

While the flu vaccine is considered safe and effective, some patients have developed lichen planus shortly after receiving the vaccine, and the vaccine is a recognized trigger for the condition. A Japanese study conducted in 2010 discussed three case studies in which patients developed lichen planus within two weeks after receiving the flu vaccine. A study published in December 2017 examined adverse events reported on the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System in the United States from July 1990 to November 2014. Of the 434,943 reported adverse events during this time, twenty-three cases of lichen planus were reported, and four cases of the oral form of lichen planus were reported. The study authors noted an average patient age of forty-seven at the time of diagnosis, and more than fifty percent of the diagnosed cases were in female patients. In addition to the influenza vaccine, researchers found the hepatitis B vaccine and the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and polio) vaccine were also associated with an increased incidence of lichen planus. The majority of cases were diagnosed within the first two weeks following vaccination, and some patients were diagnosed as late as 297 days post-vaccination. Individuals planning to receive any vaccine should speak with their healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of vaccination for their specific needs.

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