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Published on: June 11, 2020
Risk of myocarditis and pericarditis in mRNA COVID-19-vaccinated and unvaccinated populations: a systematic review
Abdallah Alami1, Daniel Krewski2,3, Nawal Farhat4
1School of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada abdallahalami@cmail.carleton.ca.
Objective:
To summarise the available evidence on the risk of myocarditis and/or pericarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, compared with the risk among unvaccinated individuals in the absence of COVID-19 infection.
Design:
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Data Sources:
Electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Web of Science and WHO Global Literature on Coronavirus Disease), preprint repositories (medRxiv and bioRxiv), reference lists and grey literature were searched from 1 December 2020 until 31 October 2022.
Study Selection:
Epidemiological studies of individuals of any age who received at least one dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, reported a risk of myo/pericarditis and compared the risk of myo/pericarditis to individuals who did not receive any dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
Data Extraction And Synthesis:
Two reviewers independently conducted screening and data extraction. The rate of myo/pericarditis among vaccinated and unvaccinated groups was recorded, and the rate ratios were calculated. Additionally, the total number of individuals, case ascertainment criteria, percentage of males and history of SARS-CoV-2 infection were extracted for each study. Meta-analysis was done using a random-effects model.
Results:
Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, of which six were included in the quantitative synthesis. Our meta-analysis indicates that within 30-day follow-up period, vaccinated individuals were twice as likely to develop myo/pericarditis in the absence of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to unvaccinated individuals, with a rate ratio of 2.05 (95% CI 1.49-2.82).
Conclusion:
Although the absolute number of observed myo/pericarditis cases remains quite low, a higher risk was detected in those who received mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations compared with unvaccinated individuals in the absence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Given the effectiveness of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in preventing severe illnesses, hospitalisations and deaths, future research should focus on accurately determining the rates of myo/pericarditis linked to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, understanding the biological mechanisms behind these rare cardiac events and identifying those most at risk.
Insights
mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were associated with a doubled risk of myocarditis and/or pericarditis in individuals without SARS-CoV-2 infection. This rare cardiac event risk warrants further investigation into biological mechanisms and high-risk groups.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Myocarditis and pericarditis are inflammatory conditions of the heart muscle and outer lining, respectively.
- mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been widely implemented globally, necessitating a thorough understanding of their safety profiles.
- Assessing the risk of these cardiac events post-vaccination is crucial for informed public health decisions.
Conclusions:
- mRNA COVID-19 vaccination is associated with a higher risk of myocarditis and/or pericarditis compared to being unvaccinated, in the absence of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Despite the increased relative risk, the absolute number of these cardiac events remains low.
- Further research is recommended to precisely determine these rates, elucidate biological mechanisms, and identify individuals at higher risk.
Related Concept Videos
Myocarditis III: Medical Management
Myocarditis I: Introduction
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Pericarditis I: Introduction
Myocarditis IV: Nursing Management
Pericarditis III: Medical Management

