As more people continue to get vaccinated, the CDC is closely monitoring for any adverse effects that may occur after vaccination. The CDC has found reports of myocarditis and pericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.

Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. Pericarditis is inflammation of the outer lining of the heart. Inflammation is the body’s immune system response to injury or illness. (More information)

Common symptoms include:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Fast-beating, or abnormal heart pounding

The rate of myocarditis and pericarditis is 12.6 cases per million second doses of the vaccine in individuals aged 12-39 years old. The risk of myocarditis and pericarditis is considered low. Most patients who have received care and treatment recovered quickly, and felt better.

According to the CDC, confirmed cases have occurred:

• Mostly in male adolescents and young adults aged 16 years or older.
• More often after getting the second dose than after the first dose of an mRNA Covid-19 vaccine.
• Typically within several days after Covid-19 vaccination

However, the benefits of the Covid-19 vaccination, continues to outweigh the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis. Millions of people have received the COVID-19 vaccines, and no long-term side effects have been detected (CDC, 2021).

Source: NIH, CDC