Since April 2021, increased cases of myocarditis and pericarditis have been reported in the United States after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is aware of these reports, which are rare given the number of vaccine doses administered.

CDC published clinical considerations for myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination. In addition, resources for the public have been added to CDC’s website that can be a resource for your patients. 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. Please report all cases of myocarditis and pericarditis post COVID-19 vaccination to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).

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.

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Reference:

CDC COCA Now Message (6/4/21)

The Associated Press (AP) reports health officials “are trying to determine whether heart inflammation that can occur along with many types of infections could also be a rare side effect in teens and young adults after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine.” A study published in Pediatrics “is among the latest reports of heart inflammation discovered after COVID-19 vaccination, though a link to the vaccine has not been proven.” The study documented seven cases of myocarditis in teenage boys who “received Pfizer shots in April or May and developed chest pain within a few days.” An accompanying “editorial noted that among U.S. children under age 18, there have been over 4 million COVID-19 cases, more than 15,000 hospitalizations and at least 300 deaths.” The editorial also said that the cases of myocarditis should be further investigated, but that “the benefits of vaccination against this deadly and highly transmissible disease clearly far outweigh any potential risks.” Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, head of the AAP’s infectious diseases committee, is one of the co-authors of the editorial, and the AP mentions that she “is involved in Pfizer vaccine studies, including a COVID-19 vaccine study in children.” 

Further Reading:

Report Details 7 Cases Of Myocarditis After COVID-19 Vaccination, AAP News (6/4/21)

Reference:

AAP Daily Briefing (6/4/21)

The following update related to reports of myocarditis occurring after COVID-19 vaccination is included in the June 3, 2021 Bulletin:

Reports of myocarditis occurring after COVID-19 vaccination: CDC continues to monitor cases of myocarditis and pericarditis that have been reported in the U.S. after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.  These reports are rare given the number of vaccine doses administered. 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.

Click here to access the bulletin.