There is no significant rise in cases of myopericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination programmes, according to a new analysis.
There have been reports of myopericarditis after COVID jabs, particularly in adolescents and young adults, so researchers from National University of Singapore set out to examine the rate internationally.
They analysed the evidence from 22 studies covering 405,272,721 vaccine doses. This showed an overall myopericarditis rate of 33.3 cases per million vaccine doses.
In *The Lancet Respiratory Medicine* the team explain that this "did not differ significantly between people who received COVID-19 vaccines and those who received non-COVID-19 vaccines".
The rate of myopericarditis was the same for people given the COVID jab and a flu jab, whereas the rate was higher for people given a smallpox vaccination.
Among those who received a COVID jab, myopericarditis was more likely for men, and people below 30 years. It was also higher for those given an mRNA versus non-mRNA vaccine, and after a second dose, versus first or third dose.
Dr Kollengode Ramanathan of the National University Hospital, Singapore, and colleagues write: "The overall risk of myopericarditis after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is low.
"However, younger males have an increased incidence of myopericarditis, particularly after receiving mRNA vaccines.
"Nevertheless, the risks of such rare adverse events should be balanced against the risks of COVID-19 infection, including myopericarditis."
Dr Ramanathan commented: “These findings should bolster public confidence in the safety of COVID-19 vaccinations.”
Ling, R. R. et al. Myopericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination and nonCOVID-19 vaccination: a systematic review and metaanalysis. *Lancet Respiratory Medicine* 11 April 2022; doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(22)00059-5
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