Israel reports link between 2nd Pfizer vaccination and heart problems in men under 30

Israel’s Ministry of Health reports a likely link between the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine and dozens of cases of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, in men under 30.

According to the ministry, it has been determined that 275 cases of myocarditis were reported in Israel between December 2020 and May 2021, of which 148 occurred around the time the patient received a vaccination.

Twenty-seven cases, including 11 people with pre-existing conditions, were reported shortly after the first dose, of the 5.4 million who have had a vaccination. However, this number rose to 121 cases, including 60 people with pre-existing conditions, of the 5.1 million who received a second injection within 30 days.

The ministry said the vast majority of those affected are men under 30, especially those between the ages of 16 and 19. Most cases were mild, with patients being discharged from the hospital after four days, the report found. This is common for myocarditis.

A death has been reported that may be linked to myocarditis, but this has not yet been conclusively proven, the ministry said.

The findings are important, as Israel will decide in the coming days whether to extend the vaccination campaign to people aged 12 to 15. Some health experts have suggested giving younger people only one vaccination to avoid the side effects of the second dose.

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