A 26 year-old died of myocarditis two weeks after his receiving his first Pfizer COVID vaccine mRNA dose.
According to Reuters, the COVID-19 Vaccine Independent Safety Monitoring Board stated, “With the current available information, the board has considered that the myocarditis was probably due to vaccination in this individual.”
They are also investigating a few other vaccine-related deaths, one of whom was a 13 year-old child.
Citing myocarditis and pericarditis risks, Denmark and Sweden have initiated a pause in administering the Moderna mRNA vaccine (Spikevax) in those born after 1990.
Hence those under 30 who are eligible for a COVID vaccine will be urged to get the Pfizer/BioNTech one instead.
This move came after Swedish officials urged only a half dose of the Spikevax be used as boosters for those people living in special housing for the elderly (SÄBO), people with home care or home care decided by the municipality and everyone who is 80 years and older. (Those at high risk can get a full dose).
And it also follows a move made by Ontario, Canada in which they stopped using Moderna in male adolescents and young adults.
According to Reuters:
“In the preliminary data … there is a suspicion of an increased risk of heart inflammation, when vaccinated with Moderna,” the Danish Health Authority said in a statement.
It referred to data from a yet unpublished Nordic study, which would now be sent to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for further assessment. Final data was expected within a month, it added.
In Ontario, Canada, public officials are urging young men between the ages of 18-24 to get the Pfizer vaccine over the Moderna due to the risk of myocarditis.
Citing a risk of heart complications in 1 in 5000 cases after the second dose of Moderna, Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health urged those in the age group to receive a Pfizer vaccine instead.
According to the National Post the recommendation in Ontario took effect immediately.
They report: Between June and August, based on more than 96,000 second doses of Pfizer and Moderna, both mRNA vaccines, the rate of heart complications following a second dose of Moderna was one in 5,000.
With the Pfizer vaccine, the risk was 1 in 28,000. Hence the Moderna vaccine posed a 5X greater risk of myocarditis in young males than the Pfizer vaccine.
Those who received a Moderna vaccine as their first dose can receive a Pfizer vaccine for their second dose, but if one chooses to receive a second Moderna dose, they can.
The CDC is expected to follow up with those who reported myocarditis or pericarditis complications following an mRNA COVID Vaccine.
According to their website, surveys will be administered to those 90 days after their heart injury. Although most patients have fully recovered, the CDC wants to investigate if there are any long term consequences.
Per their website the CDC states:
CDC will contact people with myocarditis reported to VAERS after at least 90 days have passed since myocarditis symptoms began. This outreach is expected to occur during Fall 2021.
To be eligible to participate in this survey, at least 90 days must have passed since myocarditis symptoms began.
People may get a letter in the mail or receive a phone call from CDC inviting them to participate. They will be asked questions about their myocarditis and medical history. Personal information and responses will be kept private to the extent allowable under the law. When the patient is a minor, a parent or legal guardian will be invited to participate on their behalf.
In the US, rates of myocarditis are as follows:
As of December 8, 2021, VAERS has received 1,908 reports of myocarditis or pericarditis among people ages 12-29 years who received COVID-19 vaccines. Most cases have been reported after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), particularly in male adolescents and young adults. Through follow-up, including medical record reviews, CDC and FDA have confirmed 1,106 reports of myocarditis or pericarditis. CDC and its partners are investigating these reports to assess whether there is a relationship to COVID-19 vaccination
A warning has been added to both the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccine fact sheets this summer. No guidance on which vaccine holds less risk has been posted.
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. Pericarditis is inflammation of the lining around the heart.
Both can result from a variety of causes including infection, such as COVID, radiation, chemicals, and autoimmune disease.
Symptoms may include:
- chest pain
- arrhythmia
- shortness of breath
- leg edema
- fatigue
- fever
- body aches
- dizziness
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- joint pain
and more.
In children, myocarditis occurs at a rate of 1-2 per 100,000. In May the CDC suggested the rate that has been reported could be consistent with non-vaccine related baseline rates, and COVID can be a risk factor for heart inflammation as well.
Although the COVID vaccine could cause mild joint pain, fatigue, nausea and fever, myocarditis and pericarditis are not common side effects. As the CDC investigates the cases, any of the above symptoms should prompt an immediate evaluation by a medical provider.
Dr. Daliah 
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