26 Cases of Myocarditis and Pericarditis Reported After Pfizer Vaccination in Domestic High School Seniors: "15 Cases Recovered After Treatment" (Update)

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Among adolescents vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine to prevent COVID-19, 26 reported adverse reactions of myocarditis and pericarditis, and among them, 15 cases were diagnosed and showed early recovery after hospitalization or outpatient treatment.

Choi Eun-hwa, a member of the Vaccination Expert Committee, stated at a regular briefing on the 27th, "The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination in children and adolescents include personal prevention against COVID-19 infection and reduction of isolation, hospitalization, and severe worsening that inevitably follow infection," adding, "However, since vaccines are not perfect, there are also risks associated with vaccination."

Choi said, "As of the 12th of this month, among 860,000 vaccination cases, 26 were reported as myocarditis or pericarditis. After reviewing 24 of these cases, 9 were not myocarditis or pericarditis," and added, "Among the remaining 15 cases of myocarditis and pericarditis, 5 recovered with outpatient treatment, and 10 were hospitalized but have all now recovered and been discharged."

She continued, "An analysis of about 10 million children and adolescents vaccinated in the United States also showed that myocarditis and pericarditis were mainly reported in young males, but most improved with appropriate treatment. Therefore, in the risk-benefit analysis for children and adolescents, the benefits outweigh the risks," she explained.

Choi emphasized, "Looking at the vaccination effect in South Korea’s high school seniors, the infection prevention effect for those aged 16 to 18 was 95.8% due to the vaccine, and the prevention effect for severe cases and death was analyzed as 100%."

She said, "Although there are concerns about long-term safety, it is not desirable to completely exclude the option of vaccination due to these uncertainties, as vaccination provides personal prevention against COVID-19, contributes to quarantine measures, and helps avoid negative impacts on learning rights and mental health caused by isolation and school attendance suspension, according to the judgment of the Vaccination Expert Committee."

Choi added, "In South Korea, since July this year, the number of COVID-19 cases among children and adolescents has increased more than threefold compared to the previous month. Based on the preventive effects and safety results from the vaccination experience of high school seniors domestically, COVID-19 vaccination is actively recommended for high-risk children and adolescents with underlying conditions," and said, "For healthy children and adolescents who are not in the high-risk group, they and their parents should carefully review accurate information and then decide whether to vaccinate."

Regarding concerns about vaccine side effects in children and adolescents, Kim Yeo-hyang, Director of Social Cooperation at the Korean Pediatric Cardiology Society, also said, "Adverse reactions that may occur in children and adolescents are known to be similar to those in adults and are more frequently experienced after the second dose," adding, "Myocarditis and pericarditis occurring after Pfizer vaccination mainly happen in male adolescents aged 16 and older and young adult males, usually within a few days after vaccination, and most recover quickly with treatment."