More COVID Vaccine Complications

"One can never be sure, but it is more than coincidental."

"We are learning more about this every day."

"The medical community is very concerned and parents of young folks are very concerned."

"While these symptoms might be concerning, the outcomes are usually very benign, and it is still pretty rare."

Dr.Peter Liu, cardiologist, chief scientific officer, University of Ottawa Heart Institute

 

"Based on reports received, Canada is not seeing higher rates [of heart muscle inflammation] than would be expected in the general population [outside of a vaccine context]."

"Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the provincial and territorial health authorities are aware of these cases and will continue to monitor closely."

Health Canada 

An Israeli health worker administers a dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine to a woman at Clalit Health Services in January in the Israeli coastal city of Netanya. (Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images)

 

Concerns are being raised in the medical community by a recently published report when Israeli scientists this week focused on findings that between one in 3,000 and one in 6,000 men between the ages of 16 and 24 had developed myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation) following both doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in Israel.Though most cases turned out to be mild the revelation nonetheless has elicited concern by both parents and doctors.

While the general rate of myocarditis in any population is between one in 10,000 and one in 20,000 the rate reported among young men in Israel was 25 times higher. The report out of Israel represents the first extensive study making a link between rare instances of heart inflammation with COVID-19 vaccines. Similar cases have been reported elsewhere globally. "Canada is not seeing higher rates than would be expected in the general population", assured a spokesperson for Health Canada.

Despite which, Dr.Peter Liu, a leading Ottawa myocarditis specialist has seen two cases in recent months he attributes to vaccination. While the cases are yet under investigation Dr.Liu's belief is that there is a distinct connection with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, a category both Moderna and Pfizer represent. One of the cases was that of a health professional who developed severe symptoms four days following vaccination with a Pfizer vaccine.

 

A 16-year-old in Tel Aviv, Israel, receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine on 23 January.    JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

While myocarditis has resulted, albeit rarely, with the use of both Pfizer and Moderna, higher rates have been associated with a second dose. The U.S. has launched an investigation into the link with mRNA-based vaccines. Dr.Liu emphasizes that cases of myocarditis linked to inoculations with the mRNA vaccines are quite rare, with mostly mild symptoms, noting however, that they can persist to cause long-term side effects in more severe cases.

 Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

The benefits, however, of vaccinating against COVID-19 vastly outweigh the minuscule likelihood of contracting myocarditis, he stresses, all the more so with the ongoing circulation of COVID-19 virus with more dangerous new variants beginning to take the lead in new outbreaks. Symptoms can include persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or irregular heart rhythm, occurring within several days of being vaccinated. Symptoms which should prompt people to seek medical help.

"If untreated, severe cases can cause heart failure, stroke, rapid or abnormal heart rhythms, or sudden cardiac death", according to Health Canada. Dr.Liu was quoted stating that lowering the dose in young people might be "worth considering". The findings from Israel suggested the link between the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination and heart muscle inflammation was at least statistically, a real phenomenon.