ONS says no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines lead to young deaths

pharmafile | March 23, 2022 | News story | Research and Development  

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said that there is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines have led to an increase in deaths in young people.

The Pfizer and Moderna jabs have been linked to very rare heart problems, particularly in young men. The ONS has analysed outcomes shortly after vaccination, when the risk of side effects is at its peak. The researchers found that the chance of a young person dying in that time was no different to later periods that they looked at.

Julie Stanborough, deputy director at the ONS, said: “We have found no evidence of an increased risk of cardiac death in young people following COVID-19 vaccination.”

Six months following the mass rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, medical regulators started to report slightly higher rates of two heart conditions, after receiving the Pfizer and Moderna jabs.

The side effects are very rare, but appear to be more common after a second dose of either COVID-19 jab, particularly in young men. Anyone with symptoms, including chest pain, breathlessness, and pounding or a fluttering heartbeat following vaccination, was told to see their doctor.

Myocarditis is an inflammation and damage of the heart muscle, known as myocardium. It is most commonly caused by a viral infection, but can also be an infection of bacteria, fungi, parasite, or a reaction to a drug.

The MHRA said that cases of myocarditis are usually mild or stable, and patients usually recover fully without the need for medical treatment.

Lina Adams

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