U.S. health officials are investigating what appear to be higher-than-expected reports of heart inflammation in teenagers and young adults after receiving a second dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. It is unclear whether the heart inflammation is caused by the vaccine injections, and reports remain rare, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC urges everyone aged 12 and older to get vaccinated.
Dr. Tom Shimabukuro from the CDC stated during a government meeting about vaccines on Thursday that as of May 31, there had been 275 preliminary reports of such inflammation in individuals aged 16 to 24. This is out of more than 12 million second doses of the vaccines. Most of those affected have recovered.
He added that cases seem to occur more frequently among males and young adults, and most have already recovered. He also clarified that this type of heart inflammation can occur due to a variety of infections, including a COVID-19 infection, as well as certain medications. Rare reports have followed other types of vaccinations. The CDC's advisory committee on vaccines is scheduled to meet on June 18 to further assess potential risks.
