Ashton Kutcher ‘lucky to be alive’ after COVID-19 vaccine side effect

Actor Ashton Kutcher revealed last week that he is “lucky to be alive” after contracting a rare autoimmune disorder which left him unable to walk, see or hear, reported The Guardian. The celebrity made the comments on an episode of National Geographic’s Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge which was shared Monday by Access Hollywood. 

Vasculitis is known for causing inflammation of the blood vessels, restricting blood flow and causing damage to organs. There are several types of vasculitis, though Kutcher says his strain is “super rare". 

It is unclear exactly when the episode occurred. Kutcher claimed on the show that it happened two years prior. 

“Like two years ago, I had this weird, super rare form of vasculitis, that knocked out my vision, it knocked out my hearing, it knocked out like all my equilibrium,” Kutcher said on the show, according to People. “It took me like a year to build it all back up.” 

In a Monday tweet – presumably in response to social media users suggesting the vasculitis was caused by the vaccine – Kutcher said it happened three years ago, prior to the advent of the shots: 

“Before there are a bunch of rumors/ chatter/ whatever out there.  Yes, I had a rare vasculitis episode 3yrs ago. (Autoimmune flair up) I had some impairments hear, vision, balance issues right after. I fully recovered. All good.  Moving on. See you at the 2022 NY Marathon w/Thorn.” 

Vasculitis is not only a possible side effect of the COVID-19 injection; it occurred in Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine trials. 

According to Pfizer’s post-marketing experience document released earlier this year as a result of a January court order, there were 34 vasculitic events among participants, 25 of which were serious. The cases resulted in 1 confirmed fatality, 13 resolved or resolving, 12 not resolved and 8 unknown. 

In the document, the pharma giant lists 28 different types of vasculitis that may occur as a result of its COVID-19 injection. 

“You don’t really appreciate it until it’s gone, until you go, ‘I don’t know if I’m ever gonna be able to see again,’” Kutcher said regarding his bout of vasculitis. “I don’t know if I’m gonna be able to hear again, I don’t know if I’m going to be able to walk again.’” 

NPR went so far as to list possible causes of vasculitis, leaving out any mention of the COVID-19 vaccine: 

“It is not completely known what causes vasculitis...Certain medications can put people at higher risk, including hydralazine, levamisole and propylthiouracil. Smoking and using illegal drugs, including cocaine, also can raise an individual's risk for vasculitis.” 

Kutcher and his wife, actress Mila Kunis, are ardent fans of the COVID-19 shots, having been injected in April of last year. In September, the couple complained to People that they could not vaccinate their children, 6 ½ and 4 ½, because the shots has not yet been approved for those age groups. 

Kutcher remains unclear about what caused the vasculitis.