There is a “probable” link between inflammation of the heart and injection of COVID-19 vaccines with messenger RNA, but the benefits outweigh the risks, the WHO said on Friday, confirming a US expertise.
In a statement, experts from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety explain that cases of myocarditis – an inflammation of the heart muscle – and pericarditis – an inflammation of the heart-enveloping membrane – have been reported in several countries, especially in the USA.
“Reported cases generally occur in the days following vaccination, more frequently in young people and more often after the second dose of messenger RNA vaccines against COVID-19,” they said.
After examining the information available so far, WHO experts conclude that “current data suggest a probable causal link between myocarditis and messenger RNA vaccines”.
However, they point out, “the benefits of messenger RNA vaccines outweigh the risks by reducing the number of hospitalizations and deaths caused by COVID-19 infection.”
UN experts also point out that the available data suggest that the immediate development of myocarditis and pericarditis after vaccination is generally mild and responds to treatments.
“Monitoring is underway to determine the long-term effects,” they said.
WHO experts will continue to assess the situation to update their recommendations.
On June 23, US health officials announced that there was a “likely” link between Pfizer’s and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines – those with messenger RNA – and rare cases of heart inflammation in adolescents and young people, but the benefits of these remedies still far outweigh the existing risks.
According to the WHO, the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) examined the latest data from Europe at its meeting on 5 and 8 July, and confirmed the existence of a plausible causal relationship between myocarditis and messenger RNA vaccines.
Myocarditis is a rare disease that experts believe is generally triggered by a virus. The most common symptom is chest pain and is often treated with anti-inflammatory drugs or, if necessary, oxygen.
The first cases of myocarditis were reported in Israel, where the immunization campaign was faster than in most countries, reports Agerpres.
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