VaccinesMyocarditis after vaccination — a rare exception or a problem being kept quiet?
Sources: 12 · Article: 17 583 characters
The STOP NOP Association states that 8 of 234 Finnish conscripts, or 3%, developed symptoms of inflammation after several vaccinations.
- Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi describes cases following COVID-19 vaccines, especially among young men, and gives rates ranging from fewer than 10 to more than 100 cases per million doses.
- Both authors present this inflammation as something that can occur after vaccination, while the STOP NOP Association warns that its course is not always mild.
- The information provided does not establish whether the problem was kept quiet.
What the authors write
Stowarzyszenie STOP NOP
Myocarditis and pericarditis were described as the most serious cardiovascular complication after vaccination.
„KÜBLER – Heidelberg, Germany
“(…) The most serious cardiovascular complication is myocarditis and pericarditis. These have been observed not only after smallpox and/or polio vaccines, but also after diphtheria and tetanus vaccines, as well as pertussis, cholera and, occasionally, typhoid vaccines.”KÜBLER – Heidelberg, Niemcy
„(…) Najpoważniejsze powikłanie sercowo-naczyniowe to zapalenie mięśnia sercowego i osierdzia. Obserwowano je nie tylko po podaniu szczepionek przeciwko ospie i/lub polio, ale również przeciwko błonicy i tężcowi, a także kokluszowi, cholerze i czasem durowi brzusznemu.
Stowarzyszenie STOP NOP
Symptoms of myocarditis were observed in 8 of 234 Finnish conscripts, or 3%, within six weeks of several vaccinations.
„Among 234 Finnish conscripts vaccinated against mumps, polio, tetanus, smallpox, diphtheria, and meningococci type A, 8 (3%) showed symptoms of myocarditis within 6 weeks.1 As a rule, vaccine complications occur more often in women, whereas myocarditis occurs more often in men.”Spośród 234 fińskich poborowych szczepionych przeciwko śwince, polio, tężcowi, ospie, błonicy i dwoinkom zapalenia opon mózgowych typu A, u 8 (3%) w ciągu 6 tygodni obserwowano objawy zapalenia mięśnia sercowego.1 Z reguły powikłania poszczepienne występują częściej u kobiet, natomiast zapalenie mięśnia sercowego częściej występuje u mężczyzn.
Stowarzyszenie STOP NOP
Myocarditis occurs more often in men, although other vaccine complications affect women more often.
„Among 234 Finnish conscripts vaccinated against mumps, polio, tetanus, smallpox, diphtheria, and meningococci type A, 8 (3%) showed symptoms of myocarditis within 6 weeks.1 As a rule, vaccine complications occur more often in women, whereas myocarditis occurs more often in men.”Spośród 234 fińskich poborowych szczepionych przeciwko śwince, polio, tężcowi, ospie, błonicy i dwoinkom zapalenia opon mózgowych typu A, u 8 (3%) w ciągu 6 tygodni obserwowano objawy zapalenia mięśnia sercowego.1 Z reguły powikłania poszczepienne występują częściej u kobiet, natomiast zapalenie mięśnia sercowego częściej występuje u mężczyzn.
Stowarzyszenie STOP NOP
Up to 30% of cases of post-vaccination myocarditis have an unfavorable course.
„2 One should not automatically assume that post-vaccination myocarditis is mild: up to 30% of cases have an unfavorable course.3 Fatal complications are not caused only by polio and smallpox vaccines; they have also been observed after typhus and cholera vaccinations.”2 Nie należy automatycznie zakładać, że poszczepienne zapalenie mięśnia sercowego ma charakter łagodny: do 30% przypadków ma przebieg niekorzystny.3 Śmiertelne powikłania nie są spowodowane wyłącznie szczepieniami polio i ospy, obserwowano je również po szczepieniach przeciwko durowi plamistemu i cholerze.
Stowarzyszenie STOP NOP
The STOP NOP Association states that vaccination is associated with myocarditis in 3% of healthy patients.
„Vaccination causes myocarditis in 3% of healthy patients (Helle, Koskenvuo, Heikkilaet al.1978; Amsel, Hanukoglu, Friedet al.1986). Part of this can be explained by circulating antigen precipitating in the heart tissue however people often develop autoantibodies to myocardial tissue after damage to the heart (Rose, Herskowitz, Neumannet al.1988) and this response may be exacerbated by a vaccine draining into a lymph node where the autoimmune process is developing.”?Vaccination causes myocarditis in 3% of healthy patients (Helle, Koskenvuo, Heikkilaet al.1978; Amsel, Hanukoglu, Friedet al.1986). Part of this can be explained by circulating antigen precipitating in the heart tissue however people often develop autoantibodies to myocardial tissue after damage to the heart (Rose, Herskowitz, Neumannet al.1988) and this response may be exacerbated by a vaccine draining into a lymph node where the autoimmune process is developing.
Stowarzyszenie STOP NOP
The STOP NOP Association describes the possibility of chronic damage to the heart muscle from an autoimmune reaction after inflammation.
„In either case the myocarditis induced by vaccination can lead to chronic autoimmune destruction of the myocardial tissue. ?
?Rare association: possible myocarditis secondary to influenza vaccination.? (thefreelibrary.com)
Helv Paediatr Acta 1976 OCT;31(3):257-60 (cbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed)
Cardiac complications after vaccination for smallpox (apria.com)
Acute Myocarditis Associated with Tetanus Vaccination?Dilber, Embiya; Karagoz, Tevfik; Aytemir, Kudret; Ozer, Sema; Et al
Amsel SG, Hanukoglu A, Fried D, Wolyvovics M.”In either case the myocarditis induced by vaccination can lead to chronic autoimmune destruction of the myocardial tissue. ?
?Rare association: possible myocarditis secondary to influenza vaccination.? (thefreelibrary.com)
Helv Paediatr Acta 1976 OCT;31(3):257-60 (cbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed)
Cardiac complications after vaccination for smallpox (apria.com)
Acute Myocarditis Associated with Tetanus Vaccination?Dilber, Embiya; Karagoz, Tevfik; Aytemir, Kudret; Ozer, Sema; Et al
Amsel SG, Hanukoglu A, Fried D, Wolyvovics M.
Jerzy Zięba
Myocarditis was included on the list of adverse events.
„Guillain-Barré syndrome
acute disseminated encephalomyelitis,
transverse myelitis,
myelitis,
encephalomyelitis,
meningoencephalitis,
meningitis,
narcolepsy and cataplexy
acute myocardial infarction,
myocarditis,
pericarditis,
autoimmune disease,
other acute demyelinating diseases,
non-anaphylactic allergic reactions,
disseminated intravascular coagulation,
venous thromboembolic disease,
arthritis and joint pain,
multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children,
vaccine-enhanced disease.”syndrome Guillain-Barré
ostre rozpowszechnione zapalenie mózgu i rdzenia,
poprzeczne zapalenie rdzenia kręgowego,
zapalenie rdzenia kręgowego,
zapalenie mózgu i rdzenia,
zapalenie opon mózgowo-rdzeniowych,
zapalenie opon mózgowo-rdzeniowych,
narkolepsja i katapleksja
ostry zawał mięśnia sercowego,
zapalenie mięśnia sercowego,
zapalenie osierdzia,
choroba autoimmunologiczna,
inne ostre choroby mielinizacyjne,
nieanafilaktyczne reakcje alergiczne,
rozsiane wykrzepianie wewnątrznaczyniowe,
żylna choroba zakrzepowo-zatorowam,
zapalenie stawów i bóle stawów,
wieloukładowy zespół zapalny u dzieci,
choroba wzmocniona szczepionkami.
Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi
Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi states that spike protein was detected in heart biopsies from patients with myocarditis after vaccination; the reported cases involved mRNA and adenovirus vaccines.
„Expression of spike protein in heart muscle cells after COVID-19 vaccination has been documented in heart biopsies of myocarditis patients by Baumeier et al. [133]. Both mRNA and adenovirus-based vaccines were represented among the reported cases. More widespread and apparently stronger expression than reported by Baumeier et al.”Expression of spike protein in heart muscle cells after COVID-19 vaccination has been documented in heart biopsies of myocarditis patients by Baumeier et al. [133]. Both mRNA and adenovirus-based vaccines were represented among the reported cases. More widespread and apparently stronger expression than reported by Baumeier et al.
Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi
Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi also describes a fatal case in which spike protein was detected in tissues, but nucleocapsid was not.
„More widespread and apparently stronger expression than reported by Baumeier et al. was detected by Burkhardt and colleagues in tissue samples from an as yet unpublished fatal case of myocarditis. Here, nucleocapsid expression was also examined but found to be negative, confirming that the expression of spike had been caused by vaccination.”More widespread and apparently stronger expression than reported by Baumeier et al. was detected by Burkhardt and colleagues in tissue samples from an as yet unpublished fatal case of myocarditis. Here, nucleocapsid expression was also examined but found to be negative, confirming that the expression of spike had been caused by vaccination.
Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi
Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi states that the highest risk is among young men, and that the rate after mRNA COVID-19 vaccines ranged from fewer than 10 to more than 100 cases per million doses.
„The incidence of myocarditis ranged from under 10 cases per million to over 100 cases per million doses of vaccine. Compared to unvaccinated or baseline rates, myocarditis incidence was about two to nearly 30 times greater for the vaccinated, depending on age, sex, and vaccine type.”The incidence of myocarditis ranged from under 10 cases per million to over 100 cases per million doses of vaccine. Compared to unvaccinated or baseline rates, myocarditis incidence was about two to nearly 30 times greater for the vaccinated, depending on age, sex, and vaccine type.
Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi
Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi states that, compared with unvaccinated people or baseline rates, the incidence was about 2 to nearly 30 times higher, depending on age, sex, and vaccine type.
„Compared to unvaccinated or baseline rates, myocarditis incidence was about two to nearly 30 times greater for the vaccinated, depending on age, sex, and vaccine type. Rates were usually higher after the second dose than the first. In contrast, COVID-19 infection (defined by positive PCR test) was not associated with either myocarditis (adjusted hazards ratio (aHR) 1.08; 95% CI 0.45-2.56) or pericarditis (aHR 0.53; 95% CI 0.25-1.13) in a large retrospective cohort study of nearly 200,000 adults in Israel between March 2020 and January 2021 [306].”Compared to unvaccinated or baseline rates, myocarditis incidence was about two to nearly 30 times greater for the vaccinated, depending on age, sex, and vaccine type. Rates were usually higher after the second dose than the first. In contrast, COVID-19 infection (defined by positive PCR test) was not associated with either myocarditis (adjusted hazards ratio (aHR) 1.08; 95% CI 0.45-2.56) or pericarditis (aHR 0.53; 95% CI 0.25-1.13) in a large retrospective cohort study of nearly 200,000 adults in Israel between March 2020 and January 2021 [306].
Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi
According to Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi, cases of myocarditis after mRNA vaccines occurred more often after the second dose than after the first.
„Rates were usually higher after the second dose than the first. In contrast, COVID-19 infection (defined by positive PCR test) was not associated with either myocarditis (adjusted hazards ratio (aHR) 1.08; 95% CI 0.45-2.56) or pericarditis (aHR 0.53; 95% CI 0.25-1.13) in a large retrospective cohort study of nearly 200,000 adults in Israel between March 2020 and January 2021 [306].”Rates were usually higher after the second dose than the first. In contrast, COVID-19 infection (defined by positive PCR test) was not associated with either myocarditis (adjusted hazards ratio (aHR) 1.08; 95% CI 0.45-2.56) or pericarditis (aHR 0.53; 95% CI 0.25-1.13) in a large retrospective cohort study of nearly 200,000 adults in Israel between March 2020 and January 2021 [306].
Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi
Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi describes animal studies in which inflammation after mRNA vaccines was more severe after intravenous than intramuscular administration; he presents a similar course in humans as an assumption.
„In animal studies, it has been observed that myocarditis caused by mRNA vaccines is more severe after intravenous than after intramuscular injection [18]. The same must be assumed to be the case with humans and with damage to other organs, including the brain.”In animal studies, it has been observed that myocarditis caused by mRNA vaccines is more severe after intravenous than after intramuscular injection [18]. The same must be assumed to be the case with humans and with damage to other organs, including the brain.
Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi
Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi describes the heart muscle fibers in the sample examined as separated and breaking down, with immune cells around them.
„The picture on the shows a sample of healthy heart muscle tissue, with regularly oriented and aligned heart muscle fibres. On the right, we see a heart muscle sample from one of the autopsies. The muscle fibres are disjointed and disintegrating, and they are surrounded by invading lymphocytes. Burkhardt found myocarditis in multiple of his deceased patients.”The picture on the shows a sample of healthy heart muscle tissue, with regularly oriented and aligned heart muscle fibres. On the right, we see a heart muscle sample from one of the autopsies. The muscle fibres are disjointed and disintegrating, and they are surrounded by invading lymphocytes. Burkhardt found myocarditis in multiple of his deceased patients.
Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi
Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi states that myocarditis was found in several of the deceased patients included in the study.
„The picture on the shows a sample of healthy heart muscle tissue, with regularly oriented and aligned heart muscle fibres. On the right, we see a heart muscle sample from one of the autopsies. The muscle fibres are disjointed and disintegrating, and they are surrounded by invading lymphocytes. Burkhardt found myocarditis in multiple of his deceased patients.”The picture on the shows a sample of healthy heart muscle tissue, with regularly oriented and aligned heart muscle fibres. On the right, we see a heart muscle sample from one of the autopsies. The muscle fibres are disjointed and disintegrating, and they are surrounded by invading lymphocytes. Burkhardt found myocarditis in multiple of his deceased patients.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 4 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 1 763.
A meta-analysis estimated myocarditis after RNA vaccination at 0.0035% and assessed its course as very favorable.
Aim of the study: The incidence of myocarditis after RNA-based vaccines for coronavirus has gained social and medical interest.
Results: We analyzed 17,704,413 subjects, from 7 studies, that included 627 cases of confirmed myocarditis). The incidence of myocarditis was 0.0035% (95% CI 0.0034-0.0035). Mean incidence rate was 10.69 per 100.000 persons-year. Cases reported from Israel represented 45.14% from total (283 out of the 627). Only 1 case of fatal myocarditis or death was reported. There was significant heterogeneity between results. The meta-regression analysis excluded mean age, region, number of cases or number of people included as sources of heterogeneity. No small-study effect was observed (p = 0.19). Myocarditis incidence after RNA vaccines is very rare (0.0035%) and has a very favorable clinical course.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?yes — the authors reported it
Did a manufacturer help with the study?YES
Type of studycombined analysis of many studies (meta-analysis)
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
The study found that the additional risk of myocarditis after vaccination was small and lower than after a positive SARS-CoV-2 test.
Aim of the study: Although myocarditis and pericarditis were not observed as adverse events in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine trials, there have been numerous reports of suspected cases following vaccination in the general population.
Results: This compares with an extra 40 (95% CI 38, 41) myocarditis events per 1 million patients in the 28 days following a SARS-CoV-2 positive test. We also observed increased risks of pericarditis and cardiac arrhythmias following a positive SARS-CoV-2 test. Similar associations were not observed with any of the COVID-19 vaccines, apart from an increased risk of arrhythmia following a second dose of mRNA-1273. Subgroup analyses by age showed the increased risk of myocarditis associated with the two mRNA vaccines was present only in those younger than 40.
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · British Heart Foundation, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Medical Research Council
Do the authors have ties to companies?yes — the authors reported it
Did a manufacturer help with the study?YES
Type of studyobservation of people
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A review assessed myocarditis after vaccination as rare and usually mild, and found the overall balance of vaccination benefits to be favorable.
Aim of the study: Vaccines have demonstrated protection against the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19, but concerns regarding the rare side effect of acute myocarditis have stymied immunization efforts. This review aims to describe the incidence and theorized mechanisms of COVID vaccine-associated myocarditis and review relevant principles for management of vaccine-associated myocarditis.
Money for the studynot stated · funding
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studydiscussion of other studies
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Among young people, vaccination was associated with a lower risk of myocarditis and death than SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Aim of the study: Concerns about myocarditis and mortality after COVID-19 vaccination in pediatrics persist despite limited direct comparisons with SARS-CoV-2 infection risks. We compared risks of myocarditis, pericarditis, and mortality between infection and BNT162b2 vaccination in adolescents and young adults.
Results: The infected/unvaccinated group had the highest cumulative incidence of myocarditis (0.116%). After 1:1 propensity-score matching, SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with significantly higher risks of myocarditis (relative risk [RR] = 4.91; 95%CI = 3.11-7.77), pericarditis (RR = 1.93; 95%CI = 1.39-2.67), and mortality (RR = 1.33; 95%CI = 1.04-1.71) versus no infection. In direct comparison, vaccination was associated with 85% lower myocarditis risk, 79% lower pericarditis risk, and 72% lower mortality versus infection. Protection was consistent across sexes. The absolute risk difference for myocarditis was 0.0354%, corresponding to one fewer recorded myocarditis event per 2827 individuals in the vaccinated/uninfected group compared with the infected/unvaccinated group. Recorded SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with higher short-term risks of myocarditis, pericarditis, and all-cause mortality than recorded BNT162b2 vaccination in adolescents and young adults.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyobservation of people
Participants4 072 375
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Perspectives and opinion materials
The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Even as a clinician who also received many patients in consultation from other doctors, she represented the entirety of my cases of myocarditis. And at that, the diagnosis was only a retrospective conclusion. COVID and Myocarditis Today, the active clinical cardiologist is seeing myocarditis patients on a regular basis. The scientific literature indicates that myocarditis is occurring quite frequently in patients harboring the chronic presence of the COVID-related spike protein.”Even as a clinician who also received many patients in consultation from other doctors, she represented the entirety of my cases of myocarditis. And at that, the diagnosis was only a retrospective conclusion. COVID and Myocarditis Today, the active clinical cardiologist is seeing myocarditis patients on a regular basis. The scientific literature indicates that myocarditis is occurring quite frequently in patients harboring the chronic presence of the COVID-related spike protein.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„A substantial number of such patients appear to have a low-grade, smoldering myocarditis that will eventually evolve to cardiac "burnout" and a fatal congestive cardiomyopathy. This myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation) can manifest as fatigue, intermittent chest pain, shortness of breath, abnormal heart rhythms, and sometimes even the development of inflammation and blood clotting problems in the coronary arteries that can lead to heart attacks. It is vital that this inflammation gets vigorously treated and completely resolved.”A substantial number of such patients appear to have a low-grade, smoldering myocarditis that will eventually evolve to cardiac "burnout" and a fatal congestive cardiomyopathy. This myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation) can manifest as fatigue, intermittent chest pain, shortness of breath, abnormal heart rhythms, and sometimes even the development of inflammation and blood clotting problems in the coronary arteries that can lead to heart attacks. It is vital that this inflammation gets vigorously treated and completely resolved.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„[100] Myocarditis, often evolving heart enlargement and heart failure, can result from the spike protein exposure following COVID vaccine(s) and/or from its persistence presence in chronic COVID. However, many cases of spike protein myocarditis, probably a substantial majority, are chronic, smoldering conditions that remain undiagnosed except when there is clear clinical evidence indicating its presence. PSP syndrome routinely involves the heart, even when not readily apparent clinically.”[100] Myocarditis, often evolving heart enlargement and heart failure, can result from the spike protein exposure following COVID vaccine(s) and/or from its persistence presence in chronic COVID. However, many cases of spike protein myocarditis, probably a substantial majority, are chronic, smoldering conditions that remain undiagnosed except when there is clear clinical evidence indicating its presence. PSP syndrome routinely involves the heart, even when not readily apparent clinically.
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