No plans to pause mRNA vaccines following advisory of ‘uncommon event’

Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health says there is no need to pause the use of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines after the province advised of an 'uncommon event.'

On Friday, it was announced there have been 22 reported cases in Nova Scotia of myocarditis and pericarditis following mRNA vaccines.

Myocarditis is the inflammation of the heart muscle and pericarditis is the inflammation of the lining around the heart.

Most people affected by the issue have been under the age of 30 and male. It tends to occur within a week of receiving the vaccine and appears to be more common after the second dose.

“This is very different from the safety signal that occurred earlier this year with the AstraZeneca vaccine. That was proving fatal, but this is not the case with myocarditis and pericarditis,” explained Dr. Robert Strang Friday. 

“It's uncommon, and while the symptoms can be scary, people respond relatively quickly to conservative treatment and rest.”

Symptoms to watch for are shortness of breath, chest pain or feelings of a rapid or abnormal heart rhythm.

“If you get these soon after receiving an mRNA vaccine, you need to seek urgent medical attention,” Strang stated.

He's not aware of any fatalities related to this issue in Canada, calling it a “time-limited impact with a return to full health.”

“It's very clear from the international data, to national and Nova Scotia, that the vast majority of people who have myocarditis and pericarditis, a significant proportion may need to be hospitalized, but they are almost always successfully treated with conservative therapies,” he explained.

That generally entails medication, rest and time to recover.

Strang continues to encourage all Nova Scotians to get their two doses of vaccine as soon as possible.

“The risk of remaining unimmunized far, far outweighs any risk from this uncommon and time-limited adverse effect,” he added.