Data suggests ‘likely’ link between COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, rare heart issues in teens, CDC panel says

A CDC advisory panel suggested a likely link between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and rare reports of heart inflammation in younger age groups.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Technical (VaST) Work Group, which presented during the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting Wednesday, said the “data available to date suggest likely association of myocarditis with mRNA vaccination in adolescents and young adults.” The group noted myocarditis most often appeared after the second dose, which was similar to data reported through VAERS.

“It does appear that mRNA vaccines may be a new trigger for myocarditis yet it does have some different characteristics…” said Dr. Matthew Oster, MPH, CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force during the panel meeting Wednesday.