Myocarditis and Pericarditis following COVID-19 Vaccination in Thailand

Myocarditis and pericarditis cases following Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination were reported worldwide. In Thailand, COVID-19 vaccines were approved for emergency use. Adverse event following immunization (AEFI) surveillance has been strengthened to ensure the safety of the vaccines. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of myocarditis and pericarditis, and identify the factors associated with myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination in Thailand.

We carried out a descriptive study of reports of myocarditis and pericarditis to Thailand's National AEFI Program (AEFI-DDC) between 1 March and 31 December 2021. An unpaired case-control study was conducted to determine the factors associated with myocarditis and pericarditis after the CoronaVac, ChAdOx1-nCoV, BBIBP-CorV, BNT162b2, and mRNA-1273 vaccines. The cases consisted of COVID-19 vaccine recipients who met the definition of confirmed, probable, or suspected cases of myocarditis or pericarditis within 30 days of vaccination. The controls were people who underwent COVID-19 vaccination between 1 March and 31 December 2021, with no adverse reactions documented after vaccination.

Among the 31,125 events recorded in the AEFI-DDC after 104.63 million vaccinations, 204 cases of myocarditis and pericarditis were identified. The majority of them were male (69%). The median age was 15 years (interquartile range (IQR): 13-17). The incidence was highest following the BNT162b2 vaccination (0.97 cases per 100,000 doses administered). Ten deaths were reported in this study; no deaths were reported among children who received the mRNA vaccine. Compared with the age-specific incidence of myocarditis and pericarditis in Thailand before the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccination, the incidence of myocarditis and pericarditis after the BNT162b2 vaccine was greater in the 12-17 and 18-20 age groups in both males and females. It was higher after the second dose in 12- to 17-year-olds (2.68 cases per 100,000 doses administered) and highest after the second dose in male 12- to 17-year-olds (4.43 cases per 100,000 doses administered). Young age and a mRNA-based vaccination were associated with myocarditis and pericarditis following administration of the COVID-19 vaccine after multivariate analysis.

Myocarditis and pericarditis following vaccination against COVID-19 were uncommon and mild, and were most likely to affect male adolescents. The COVID-19 vaccine offers the recipients enormous benefits. The balance between the risks and advantages of the vaccine and consistent monitoring of AEFI are essential for management of the disease and identification of AEFI.