Coronavirus: Cardiologists say only small percentage of young people present with myocarditis after jab

The Cyprus Society of Cardiology on Wednesday said only a small percentage of minors and young people who get vaccinated against Covid-19 present with myocarditis or pericarditis, lending their support to giving the jab for all ages for which approval has been given.

The society, in view of the green light given by the state to use the mRNA technology jabs for minors 12 and over said it wanted to offer “scientifically substantiated information” to people who are called to decide on the vaccination of their children.

This concerns the association of myocarditis and pericarditis with mRNA vaccines, which has occurred in some young people.

The society said that cases of myocarditis and pericarditis have recently been reported in children and young adults who have been vaccinated with the mRNA technology.

They explained that myocarditis and pericarditis are inflammations of the heart that are mainly due to viral infections.

“These cases are rare,” the society said, citing the US CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention), which said such cases occur with a frequency of 40.6 cases per 1,000,000 after the second dose of the mRNA jab in people aged 12-29 years.

“Although myocarditis is a condition that may be associated with complications, most cases associated with vaccines were mild and showed complete remission of symptoms within a few days,” they said.

Cases of myocarditis and pericarditis are more common in boys and occur more often within a few days (most often on the second day) after the second dose of the vaccine, the society said.

The main symptom is chest pain which is usually accompanied by an increase in the levels of cardiac enzymes in the blood (if it is myocarditis), changes in the electrocardiogram and pathological findings in the imaging control of the heart.

If they occur, the time for returning to previous activities and exercise should be discussed with a cardiologist, it added.

The society, however said that despite possible side effects such as allergic reactions, pain and swelling / redness at the injection site, tiredness, headache, myalgia, chills, arthralgia, fever, myocarditis or pericarditis, the benefit of the protection against Covid-19 “outweighs any risks.”

It added that Covid-19 infection has a mortality of 0.1-1 per 100,000 in people aged 12 to 29 years. “It is estimated that vaccinating 1,000,000 people aged 12-17 with mRNA vaccines can cause 8-10 cases of myocarditis in girls and 56-69 cases of myocarditis in boys,” the society said.

“However, it will prevent 17,000 COVID-19 cases with all the consequences they have for children’s participation in school and other social activities. In addition, it will prevent 366 hospitalisations, 76 intensive care stays and two deaths.”

The cardiology society said it supports vaccination for protection against Covid-19 “for all ages for which there are approved vaccines.”

It also urged people make their own decisions about vaccinating themselves and their loved ones by receiving objective information from the scientists they trust to manage their health issues. “Vaccination is the most important tool we have in our hands to reduce the pandemic,” it added.

“Finally, we remind you of the importance of observance and other protection measures (masks, hand hygiene, social distancing) to prevent the transmission of the virus.”

The cardiology society also said that they are monitoring literature as knowledge on the matter evolves and will make new announcements if deemed necessary.