12 Apr Myopericarditis After COVID-19 Vaccination
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr Kollengode Ramanathan MD
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit
National University Heart Centre
National University Hospital
Singapore
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Globally, more than 10 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered as of March 2022. While most side-effects of the vaccine are mild and self-limiting, myopericarditis ( inflammation of the heart) is increasingly being reported after COVID-19 vaccination. Thus far it has only been linked only to smallpox vaccination. However, several studies have suggested that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines significantly increase the risk of myocarditis, particularly in males and in people aged 16-39 years. We reviewed the literature comparing the incidence of myopericarditis following COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 vaccination.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: We found 22 observational studies which reported on 260 million people receiving more than 405 million doses of vaccines (395 361 933 COVID-19 vaccine doses, 9 910 788 non-COVID-19 vaccine doses). The incidence of myopericarditis was not elevated after COVID-19 vaccination (18 cases per million vaccine doses) when compared to non-COVID-19 vaccination (56 cases per million vaccine doses). Among people who received COVID-19 vaccines, the incidence of myopericarditis was significantly higher in males (vs females), in people younger than 30 years (vs 30 years or older), after receiving an mRNA vaccine (vs non-mRNA vaccine), and after a second dose of vaccine (vs a first or third dose).
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: In the general population, the risk of myopericarditis after receipt of COVID-19 vaccination is low. The incidence of myopericarditis from COVID-19 vaccination also appears to be lower than that from COVID-19 infection. However, the incidence of myopericarditis for young men after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination appears higher than expected by comparison with other age groups. These findings might be of interest to policy makers determining national vaccination protocols, particularly as many countries will be encouraging a booster dose of vaccination during 2022.
The scale of mass global vaccination and enhanced surveillance might account for the increased reporting of this adverse event in the context of COVID-19 vaccination. Nonetheless, certain subpopulations—those of male sex or younger age and those receiving an mRNA vaccine, particularly the second dose—appear to be at increased risk of myopericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination. These findings are important additions to the conversation when weighing the risks and benefits of COVID-19 vaccination during this pandemic.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?
Response: In the general population, the risk of myopericarditis after receipt of COVID-19 vaccination is low. The incidence of myopericarditis from COVID-19 vaccination also appears to be lower than that from COVID-19 infection. However, the incidence of myopericarditis for young men after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination appears higher than expected by comparison with other age groups. These findings might be of interest to policy makers determining national vaccination protocols, particularly as many countries will be encouraging a booster dose of vaccination during 2022.
The scale of mass global vaccination and enhanced surveillance might account for the increased reporting of this adverse event in the context of COVID-19 vaccination. Nonetheless, certain subpopulations—those of male sex or younger age and those receiving an mRNA vaccine, particularly the second dose—appear to be at increased risk of myopericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination. These findings are important additions to the conversation when weighing the risks and benefits of COVID-19 vaccination during this pandemic.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Response: We have no disclosures to make. Our findings inform the general public of the rarity of myopericarditis, placing the risks into perspective and allowing for a more informed decision regarding COVID-19 vaccination. The decision to vaccinate should be informed by appropriately weighing the benefits and harms of COVID-19 vaccination, the local risk of exposure to COVID-19 infection at the time, and the risk of myopericarditis from COVID-19 infection itself.
Citation:
Myopericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination and non-COVID-19 vaccination: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Ling, Ryan Ruiyang et al.
The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, Volume 0, Issue 0
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Last Updated on April 12, 2022 by Marie Benz MD FAAD