Myocarditis reactive to the COVID-19 vaccine has progressively been observed during the massive vaccination campaign among the population. It usually follows the second dose, occurs within 5 days of vaccine administration, and affects more often young men. The incidence is rare, clinical presentation usually benign, and the evolution is generally uncomplicated, without long term sequelae. Moreover, mortality is rate extremely low. Although the physio-pathological mechanisms implicated are not fully elucidated to date, several hypotheses have been put forward. Finally, the low risk of post-vaccination myocarditis must be weighed against the undeniable public health benefits of the vaccine compared to the risks of severe complications inherent to COVID-19 infection itself.
What is already known about the topic?
The COVID-19 pandemic in these recent years required us to quickly learn about a new disease and to tackle the severe cardiovascular complications caused by this terrible virus. Fortunately, efforts to develop effective vaccines in record time have enabled us to emerge victorious from this fight.
What does this article bring up for us?
As any effective treatment, vaccines against COVID-19 inherently have potential side effects. Among these, myocarditis has sometimes been too loudly reported in some press. At the dawn of a possible fourth dose, we review the objective scientific data available on this complication and demonstrate that despite these rare cases of post-vaccination myocarditis, the risk-benefit balance remains very clearly favorable to vaccination for young people, that is why the vaccine is currently recommended for individuals over 12 years of age.
Key Words
COVID-19, myocarditis, vaccination