The Porcupine Health Unit is following reports of possible heart issues after people receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining around the heart) are the two conditions being monitored following a Pfizer of Moderna vaccine.
"At this time, the benefits of the mRNA vaccines continue to outweigh the potential risks of myocarditis/pericarditis. There are clear benefits of mRNA vaccines in reducing complications, hospitalizations and preventing death due to COVID-19 infections," said Dr. Lianne Catton, Porcupine Health Unit medical officer of health, in a news release issued June 21.
"WIth the delta variant circulating in the PHU region and across the province, second doses are even more important in achieving optimal protection levels."
From Dec. 13 to June 12 in the Porcupine Health Unit region, there are 78 reports of adverse events following immunization (AEFI), according to Public Health Ontario. That's a rate of 123.9 per 100,000 people. The provincial rate is 45.8 reports of AEFI per 100,000 people.
The data does not include what the adverse effects experienced in each region were. However, there is a breakdown of the adverse events experienced overall.
In Ontario, the most common side effect with the Pfizer vaccine is allergic skin reactions, with 924 people reporting that side effect. There are 283 people who reported it with Moderna and 176 with Astra Zeneca.
Pain, redness or swelling at the injection site is the most common side effect for Moderna, with 668 people reporting it. There are 363 reports of it for Pfizer and 175 for AstraZeneca.
The most common adverse event for AstraZeneca is listed as other severe or unusual events, which were reported by 216 people. There are 546 reports of it for Pfizer and 187 for Moderna.
There have been reports of myocarditis or pericarditis in Isreal and United States following an mRNA vaccination. According to Public Health Ontario, the information available to date "indicates that these events occur more commonly after the second dose, within several days after vaccination, mainly in adolescents/young adults and more often in males than females."
As of June 12 in Ontario, there have been 19 reports of the heart conditions following vaccination. Four of the people were diagnosed with myocarditis, 12 were diagnosed with pericarditis, and three were diagnosed with perimyocarditis, myopericarditis or inflammatory cardiac reaction of unclear significance, according to Public Health Ontario.
"Currently, there is no official safety alert or advisory in Canada or Ontario, and mRNA COVID-19 vaccines continue to be recommended in all eligible individuals in Canada and in other countries," said Catton in the news release.
"This information is being shared out of a dedication to transparency of emerging data. As part of ongoing COVID-19 vaccine safety efforts the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Health Canada, Public Health Ontario and the Ontario Ministry of Health are closely monitoring myocarditis/pericarditis following vaccination."
So people up to 25 years are aware of the possible symptoms after vaccination, the information has been added to the consent process for the PHU clinics.
The symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain or the feeling of a rapid or abnormal heart rhythm.
