Bryn Jones (Australia)

Royal Children's Hospital Department of Cardiology

Author Of 1 Presentation

 Conference Calendar

MYOCARDITIS AND MYOPERICARDITIS CASES FOLLOWING COVID-19 MRNA VACCINES (COMIRNATY [PFIZER-BIONTECH] AND SPIKEVAX [MODERNA]) ADMINISTERED TO 12–17-YEAR-OLDS IN VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

Date
Thu, 12.05.2022
Session Time
10:00 - 11:30
Session Type
Oral Presentations Session
Session Name
0640 - ORAL PRESENTATION SESSION 05: COVID-19 Session II (ID 88)
Room
BANQUETING HALL
Presenter
Lecture Time
11:12 - 11:22

Abstract

Backgrounds:

Australia has utilized two mRNA vaccines as part of its COVID-19 vaccine strategy in 12-17 year-olds, namely Comirnaty BNT162b2 COVID-19 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and Spikevax mRNA-1273 (Moderna).

Of particular interest in the young adult population is post-vaccination myocarditis causally associated with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Post-licensure observational and report-based case studies confirmed the highest risk group is young males (<24 years old) following the 2nd vaccine dose.

Due to this AESI signal, the risk, clinical manifestations and follow-up of myocarditis has been of particular interest. This study describes clinical presentation and evaluation of myocarditis AESI following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination in 12–17-year-old adolescents in Victoria, Australia.

Methods

Identified reports of myocarditis in 12–17-year-old vaccinees submitted to SAEFVIC, the state-wide vaccine safety service, between 22 February and 30 November 2021 were assessed. Diagnostic test results were obtained to confirm the diagnoses. Each case was categorized by two independent experts utilizing the Brighton Collaboration definition with graded levels of certainty.

Results:

Rigorous clinical review demonstrated definite (Brighton level 1) or probable (level 2) diagnoses in 53 cases, with one case possible (level 3). As of 30th November 2021, the 54 reports of confirmed myocarditis, equated to a rate of 7.0 per 100,000 doses in this age group.

Cases were predominantly male (n=48, 88.9%) and post dose 2 (n=44, 81.5%). Rates peaked in the 16–17-year-old age group and were higher in males than females (12.2 v 1.6 per 100,000, p=<0.001).

Troponin levels differed between sexes, with males recording substantially higher levels.

Conclusions/Learning Points:

Accurate evaluation and confirmation of episodes of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine associated myocarditis enabled understanding of clinical phenotypes in the pediatric and adolescent age group. Any potential vaccination and safety surveillance policies needs to consider age and gender differences.

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