The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the following information, regarding Myocarditis and Pericarditis (inflammation of the heart) following mRNA, Pfizer, and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccinations. At this time, the CDC continues to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 12 years of age and older–due to the risk of COVID-19 illness and related, possibly-severe, complications. Those complications include long-term health problems, hospitalization, and even death.
Individuals who may have concerns about vaccination should talk with their healthcare provider. More information on this recommendation can be found cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/myocarditis.html.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/myocarditis.html.
What Individuals Need to Know
More than 165 million people have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine in the United States, and CDC continues to monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for any health problems that happen after vaccination.
Since April 2021, there have been increased reports to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) of cases of inflammation of the heart—called myocarditis and pericarditis—happening after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) in the United States.
These reports are rare, given the number of vaccine doses administered, and have been reported after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna), particularly in adolescents and young adults. Most patients who received care responded well to medicine and rest and quickly felt better.
There has not been a similar reporting pattern observed after receipt of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) which is not an mRNA vaccine.
Cases reported to VAERS (the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System) have occurred:
- Mostly in male adolescents and young adults age 16 years or older.
- More often after getting the second dose of one of these two COVID-19 vaccines, than after the first dose.
- Typically within several days after COVID-19 vaccination.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to help protect yourself and your family from COVID-19.
If you have questions please contact the IDPH COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or reach out to us.