Corona vaccination: myocarditis still rare
The Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI) continues to classify heart muscle inflammation (myocarditis) as a rare side effect. A total of 24 cases were registered in children and adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 after being vaccinated with the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine.
In addition to general vaccination reactions , which have already occurred in adults, this group also experienced inflammation of the heart muscle and other side effects. A total of 1.3 million children and adolescents had already been vaccinated during the study period.
Corona vaccination in children: Serious side effects rarely occur
The PEI notes myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) as the most common, serious side effect in children and adolescents between 12 and 17 years of age. A total of 24 cases were reported. In 21 cases it is known whether the side effect occurred after the first or second dose of vaccination, in three others this information is missing. While so far only two girls have developed myocarditis, 22 boys have suffered from myocarditis. 13 cases of myocarditis occurred after the second dose of vaccine.
Eleven of those affected have already recovered from the myocarditis, and seven other children and adolescents are still ill. In six other cases, the outcome of the side effect is unknown, and there was no death from myocarditis.
In addition to myocarditis, the vaccinated people also experienced other serious side effects in rare cases. Anaphylactic reactions were reported in seven girls and six adolescents experienced seizures.
Due to the rarity of the serious side effects, the PEI continues to assess the benefit-risk ratio of the mRNA vaccines as positive.