No signs of heart damage after COVID-19 vaccination among younger children
Myocarditis, one of the most frequently discussed side effects associated with COVID-19, was also seen in a very small percentage of patients after they received a COVID-19 vaccine.
According to new data from Pfizer, however, a clinical trial studying the safety and effectiveness of the company’s vaccine in children between the ages of 5 and 11 resulted in no cases of myocarditis. More than 2,000 children were included in the trial, which also included three months of follow-up data.
“The dose for children 5 to <12 years of age is one-third of the dose given to older vaccinees,” according to a document Pfizer shared with the FDA. “Based on this information, it is reasonable to predict that post-vaccine myocarditis rates are likely to be even lower in 5 to <12 years of age than those observed in adolescents 12 to 15 years of age.”
Side effects that were reported in young children receiving the vaccine included pain in the injection site, fatigue, headaches, fever, chills and muscle pain. The only side effect seen in a majority of recipients was pain in the injection site. No side effects related to the vaccine were viewed as serious.
No vaccines for this younger age group have been approved by the FDA at this time, but such an announcement is expected by many in the industry by the first few weeks of November.
Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.