What are myocarditis and pericarditis?
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle and pericarditis is inflammation of the outer layer of the heart.
How common are myocarditis/pericarditis after a Pfizer/Moderna vaccine?
Myocarditis/pericarditis are very rare complications of the Pfizer/ Moderna mRNA vaccines. Myocarditis/pericarditis are around six times more common if you are infected with the Covid virus. They can also occur in reaction to other vaccines, viruses and medical conditions
There have been 84 cases in Australia believed to be from a COVID vaccine up until July 2021. Cases are most common in young men less than thirty and are far more likely after the second dose (76%)of a COVID vaccine. Overall figures suggest that after the second dose of vaccine in people aged 12-29 there are around 40 cases per million in males and 4 per million in females.
What are the symptoms of myocarditis/pericarditis?
Symptoms typically appear about 1- 5 days after vaccination. Common symptoms include chest pain, pain with breathing, palpitations or fluttering in the chest, skipped beats, fainting and shortness of breath
How serious is myocarditis/pericarditis
Because it is an inflammation of the heart, most patients go to hospital with suspected myocarditis/pericarditis. They will need to have tests done and may need admission until the inflammation settles. They will also need to be followed up by a heart specialist.
A report from Israel found 62 cases of myocarditis after 5 million vaccines. Two out of the 62 patients died. Notably, some of those patients may actually have developed myocarditis from other causes.
Should any patients have a medical check before receiving a Pfizer/Moderna vaccine?
People with a history of any of the following conditions can receive an mRNA vaccine but will need a medical check before receiving their vaccine.
- Myocarditis, pericarditis, endocarditis in the previous 6 months
- Acute rheumatic fever or acute rheumatic heart disease
- 12-29 year olds with dilated cardiomyopathy
- Complex or severe congenital heart disease including single ventricle (Fontan) circulation
- Acute decompensated heart failure
- Cardiac transplant recipients