Myocarditis after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination: clinical observations and potential mechanisms

Stephane Heymans; Leslie T Cooper

doi:10.1038/s41569-021-00662-w

Myocarditis after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination: clinical observations and potential mechanisms

Nat Rev Cardiol. 2022 Feb;19(2):75-77. doi: 10.1038/s41569-021-00662-w.

Authors

Stephane Heymans¹, Leslie T Cooper²

Affiliations

¹ Maastricht University Medical Centre, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands. s.heymans@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
² Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic in Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA.

Abstract

The risk of acute myocarditis associated with COVID-19 mRNA vaccination has garnered intense (social) media attention. However, myocarditis after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination is rare and usually resolves within days or weeks. Moreover, the risks of hospitalization and death associated with COVID-19 are greater than the risk associated with COVID-19 vaccination. Therefore, COVID-19 vaccination should be recommended in adolescents and adults.

MeSH terms

COVID-19 Vaccines* / administration & dosage
COVID-19 Vaccines* / adverse effects
Humans
Myocarditis* / epidemiology
Vaccines, Synthetic* / administration & dosage
Vaccines, Synthetic* / adverse effects
mRNA Vaccines* / administration & dosage
mRNA Vaccines* / adverse effects

Substances

COVID-19 Vaccines
Vaccines, Synthetic
mRNA Vaccines