We have had many questions about the reports of myocarditis after receiving the COVID vaccine.  Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart tissue.  This is a rare complication of common infections in children, including infections like the flu, hand, foot and mouth disease and COVID.

Even some routine vaccines have been associated with myocarditis, including the MMR vaccine.  Thus far, the number of cases of myocarditis this year has not differed from the number of expected cases at baseline every year.

The reports suggest that less than 1 in 100,000 patients 12-25 years old have developed myocarditis, usually after the second shot of the covid vaccine and mostly in males.  Although we do not know for sure, the CDC believes that there is a connection between myocarditis and the covid vaccine.  Fortunately, the cases of myocarditis after the vaccine have been mild and have resolved with time.  In contrast the myocarditis caused by COVID disease is more common and more severe.

For theses reasons, we encourage everyone to get vaccinated against COVID19.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s provider if you have further questions.