GMB: Dr Amir Khan discusses Pfizer vaccine delay

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Myocarditis and pericarditis – two inflammatory heart conditions – have been associated with the second dose of the Covid Pfizer vaccine. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), a UK Government agency, confirmed the possibility of this side effect. “They mostly happen within 14 days of getting the vaccine and are more likely to occur after the second dose,” the HSE said.

Myocarditis

“Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle,” the HSE explained.

The data, so far, shows that this “rare” side effect – occurring in one in a million people – is more likely in the male sex.

In particular, the risk seems to be higher in young teenagers and men.

The calculated risk of a 12 to 17-year-old boy developing myocarditis after a Pfizer jab is one in every 16,000 people.

The Myocarditis Foundation elaborated on the inflammatory heart condition.

It pointed out that the inflammation “enlarges and weakens the heart” muscle.

Furthermore, myocarditis can lead to scar tissue, forcing the heart to work harder to circulate blood and oxygen throughout the body.

Common symptoms can include:

• Shortness of breath, especially after exercise or when lying down
• Fatigue
• Heart palpitations
• Chest pain or pressure
• Lightheadedness
• Swelling in the hands, legs, ankles and feet
• A sudden loss of consciousness.

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Some people can continue to live long, full lives free from the effects of myocarditis.

Others, however, might need ongoing cardiovascular medication or a heart transplant.

Pericarditis

HSE pointed out that pericarditis is “inflammation of the outer lining of the heart”.

The American Heart Association stated that one symptom of pericarditis can be chest pain, akin to a heart attack.

“In rare cases, pericarditis can have very serious consequences, possibly leading to abnormal heart rhythm and death,” the charity warned.

Fortunately, many cases of pericarditis are considered “mild” that can clear up on their own with rest.

The HSE highlighted three symptoms following a Pfizer jab that warrant “urgent medical help”. These are:

• Breathlessness
• Palpitations (a forceful heartbeat that may be irregular)
• Chest pain.

These symptoms can appear in the weeks after having the second Pfizer Covid jab.

More common side effects of the Pfizer vaccine include:

• Tenderness or swelling in your arm where you had the vaccine injection
• Feeling tired
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Joint pain
• Diarrhoea
• Fever.

More than one in 100 people might experience: nausea, vomiting, or redness in the arm where you had the injection.

Considered “rare”, affecting more than one in 1,000 people, side effects could include:

• Itchiness where the vaccine was given
• Itchiness in general
• A rash
• Swelling of the lymph glands
• Sleeplessness.

The HSE added: “These vaccines are new and long-term side effect information is limited.”

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