Effects of the "Moderna" Vaccine: Officials Investigate "Serious Relationship"

The Washington Post reported from informed sources that U.S. health officials are reviewing reports suggesting that the connection between Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine and the risk of a rare heart disease in younger adults may be stronger than previously thought. The U.S. newspaper mentioned that the review focused on Canadian data indicating that the risks of the Moderna vaccine are higher than those of the Pfizer-Biontech vaccine, especially in men under the age of thirty. A source cited by the Washington Post stated that it is still too early for regulatory bodies to reach a conclusion, and that more work is needed before any recommendations can be made. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated, "We will not comment on internal meetings or discussions, but we can say that the FDA is fully committed to reviewing data when it becomes available," according to Reuters. This potential review comes just two days after U.S. health officials announced the provision of booster shots for Americans starting September 20, amid concerns that the protection offered by the initial vaccines may be inadequate in the face of rising infections from the variant known as Delta.