Myocarditis disease linked to COVID-19 vaccine
In light of the recent devastation caused by the novel coronavirus, it has become all the more important for us to get our COVID shots. While millions around the world have already got their vaccine doses, many have reported wide ranges of side effects and adverse reactions from the same.
Inflammation and swelling of the heart, a condition known as myocarditis, has been identified in many youngsters who have received their dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Although experts are still looking into the matter, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed over 200 cases of myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination in people 30 or below.
Heart inflammation reported in people below the age of 30 post vaccination, as per CDC
The Advisory Committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is set to hold a meeting on June 18 to discuss the increase in the reported cases of myocarditis disease, especially amongst the younger population, most often males.
According to Dr. Tom Shimabukuro, deputy director of the CDC's Immunization Safety Office, 226 cases of myocarditis or pericarditis after vaccination in people younger than age 30 have been confirmed. However, further investigation has been sought to confirm whether the vaccination is the source of the disease. The CDC says the reports of the ailment are "rare" and that "most patients who received care responded well to medicine and rest and quickly felt better."
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What is this disease associated with COVID-19 vaccine?
Myocarditis is a heart condition that leads to the inflammation of the heart muscles. The inflammation is a result of the body's immune response to a certain infection, which leads to weakening and swelling of the heart. This in turn reduces your heart's ability to pump blood and oxygen, causing rapid or abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). In severe cases, myocarditis can lead to heart failure, abnormal heartbeat and sudden death.
Who is at risk of developing this condition?
According to the Myocarditis Foundation, the disease can affect anyone from young adults to kids and even toddlers. However, people who are at a higher risk of developing this condition are those who have reached puberty through their early 30’s. It has been reported that the male population is more susceptible to the illness than the females.
As per the CDC, this condition was more prevalent among young males who had gotten their second dose. "Most cases appear to be mild, and follow-up of cases is ongoing," the CDC said to the press.
Symptoms associated with Myocarditis
People who are diagnosed with myocarditis often experience symptoms like chest pain, fatigue, dizziness, swelling of feet and ankle, arrhythmia, and in severe cases cardiac arrest. Most patients however show mild to no symptoms, dodging early diagnosis.
Earlier reports
Apart from the CDC report, Israel's health ministry also reported 275 such cases, of which 5 million people had received their Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines from December 2020 to May 2021.
A study commissioned by the Israeli health ministry stated "a probable link between receiving the second dose (of Pfizer) vaccine and the appearance of myocarditis among men aged 16 to 30."
Read more: Coronavirus: Allergy, vaccine side-effects or COVID symptoms? How to tell the difference
Why is it still important to get your COVID vaccination?
Although many side effects and adverse reactions have been associated with the COVID vaccination, it is still crucial that we get our COVID vaccines as soon as possible. The SARs-COV-2 virus is a highly contagious disease and currently, the vaccines are the only way we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from the infection.