The CDC reports a higher-than-expected number of cases of myocarditis in people who received their second dose of mRNA covid vaccines. LSU Health Shreveport infectious disease professor Dr. John Vanchire said cases have been the highest amongst men under the age of 18 and the heart inflammation symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pains.
“The cases that have been reported in-depth on, about 400 cases, they have said that all of those who’ve been effected have recovered,” Vanchire said.
The vaccines that fall under this category include Pfizer and Moderna. Dr. Vanchire says that while myocarditis can be fatal, the inflammation is treatable and shouldn’t scare patients from getting vaccinated.
“Covid is still a serious illness and should be taken seriously and the cases of myocarditis, again under evaluation, but at this point, there’s no change in the recommendation of vaccination,” Vanchire said.
Contracting myocarditis is more likely after getting the vaccine but is still a rare event with 20 to 30 cases out of a million. Dr. Vanchire says the risks involved with getting covid versus getting myocarditis aren’t comparable.
“Get vaccinated, this is a rare event. If you want to wait for a little bit more reassurance from the CDC that’s ok but get vaccinated. Vaccines are safe,” Vanchire said.
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