Heart inflammation in rare cases has been found among a few young people who have received the COVID-19 vaccine who are experiencing myocarditis.

Heart Muscle Inflammation

“Moreover, it’s basically an inflammation of the heart muscle. In fact, it can be causing by lots of viruses. In fact, this time of year is sort of when we start to see a few of these cases,” said Dr. John Lynch who is an infectious disease specialist with UW Medicine in Seattle. 

Small Number of Cases

On Monday during the Washington State Hospital Association COVID-19 briefing, Lynch said health officials are seeing a small number of these cases. These are in Washington state.

Every year, we see about 10-22 per 100,000 cases of myocarditis. It’s rare, you know, but it’s definitely something that is on pediatrician’s mind,” said Lynch.

Symptoms have been fever, fainting and difficulties breathing in teens and young adults, doctors said.

Usually, after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the CDC said a majority of the cases were reporting. In fact, most appear to be mild.

The Department of Health data has shown that 23% of 16- and 17-year-olds have received their second dose in Washington state.

“Moreover, the first thing to know is that the numbers have remained very low, and yes, some of them do happen after vaccination. But just like anything else, we know that things would’ve happened with or without that vaccine,” said Lynch.

Scientists Involved

It’s a good thing, according to experts, that this is being looking into. That is because scientists are monitoring vaccine safety.

Even outside of a vaccination, myocarditis is rare. This is even more so with. Yet there is some plausibility behind the biology that makes it conceivable. Any time there is a really strong immune response to a vaccine or infection which we know is the case with COVID-19 vaccine given their excellent protection there is an increased chance of these side effects happening soon after.