Since April 2021, increased cases of myocarditis and pericarditis have been reported in the United States after COVID-19 vaccination (Pfizer and Moderna) for adolescents and young adults patients. Although the numbers are low this issue is still concerning, and the public needs to know so there can be immediate follow-up.
WebMD (2021) defines “myocarditis as an inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium). Symptoms include shortness of breath, abnormal heartbeat, fatigue, fever, muscle aches, sore throat, headache, painful and swollen joints, and legs.
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the thin tissue around the heart. The symptoms include chest pain, low grade fever and increased heart rate. There is treatment for both issues (WebMD, 2020).
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is aware of these reports, which are rare given the number of vaccine doses administered. CDC published clinical considerations for myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination. In addition, resources for the public have been added to CDC’s website that can be a resource for patients” (CDC, 2021).
“CDC and its partners are actively monitoring these reports by reviewing data and medical records to learn more about what happened and to see if there is any relationship to COVID-19 vaccination” (CDC, 2021).
The CDC is requesting that you report all cases of myocarditis and pericarditis post COVID-19 vaccination to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
The CDC continues to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 12 years of age and older, given the greater risk of COVID-19 illness and related, possibly severe complications.
Just keeping you informed! Check out the websites below for additional information from the CDC.
| References: For information about this update or other clinical issues, or to send your feedback, please contact the CDC at coca@cdc.gov OR CDC Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity Facebook page—connect with COCA on Facebook Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity—resources for healthcare providers COCA RSS Feed—subscribe to be notified of conference calls, updates, and CDC guidance for health providers Crisis & Emergency Risk Communication Training—training program that draws from lessons learned during public health emergencies, and incorporates best practices from the fields of risk and crisis communication Health Alert Network—CDC’s primary method of sharing cleared information about urgent public health incidents with public information officers; federal, state, territorial, and local public health practitioners; clinicians; and public health laboratories WebMD, 2020. What you should know: Myocarditis. Retrieved from https://www. webmd.com/heart-disease/myocarditis WebMD, 2020. Heart disease and pericarditis. Retrieved from https://www. webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/pericardial-effusion |
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