There have been 226 cases of myocarditis or pericarditis among 141 million fully vaccinated people in the US. However, fewer than 100 cases of heart inflammation would be typical of the under-30s age group. Thus, the side effect is raising some eyebrows. The CDC reported that the Pfizer side effect occurs “more often after getting the second dose”. Heart inflammation is seemingly a rare side effect of the Moderna vaccine too.
Pericarditis
Pericarditis is inflammation of the protective sac that surrounds the heart muscle.
It’s known as the pericardium, and it has two layers that can become inflamed.
Symptoms of pericarditis:
- Chest pain that feels like a stabbing sensation
- Pain in the neck that may spread across the shoulders and/or arms
- A fever
- Nausea
- Feeling light headed
- A sudden shortness of breath (if you experience this get urgent medical help).
“The pain can sometimes get worse when you’re lying down and better when you’re leaning forward,” the BHF added.
Treatment might involve painkillers, anti-inflammatory medication and surgery.
It can take several months for a person to recover from pericarditis, although some people can recover quite quickly.
The deputy director of the CDC’s immunisation safety office, Tom Shimabukuro, has confirmed the link between mRNA vaccines and heart inflammation.
“We clearly have an imbalance there,” he said during a meeting with an advisory committee for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Yet, Shimabukuro is hesitant to believe that all the reports will turn out to be “true” cases of myocarditis or pericarditis.
The CDC commented: “CDC and its partners are actively monitoring these reports, by reviewing data and medical records, to learn more about what happened and to see if there is any relationship to COVID-19 vaccination.
“CDC continues to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 12 years of age and older, given the greater risk of COVID-19 illness and related, possibly severe complications.
“Getting vaccinated is the best way to help protect yourself and your family from COVID-19.”
