Sweden, Denmark suspend use of Moderna vaccine for young people – POLITICO

After reports of possible rare side effects, Denmark and Sweden on Wednesday halted use of Moderna’s COVID-19 mRNA vaccine.

Recent data indicate an increase in inflammation of the heart mucle (myocarditis) and inflammation of the pericardium (pericarditis).

“The link is particularly clear when it comes to Moderna’s Spikevax vaccine, especially after the second dose,” the Swedish health agency said in a statement. He added that “the risk of being affected is very low”.

In Sweden, the break affects people born in 1991 or later. In Denmark, all people under the age of 18 will no longer receive the Moderna vaccine, the country’s health agency said.

Those who have already had their first Moderna shot won’t get a second shot from the same manufacturer. “Discussions are underway on the best solution for this group,” the Swedish health agency said.

Earlier this week, the Swedish authority had already said that people between the ages of 12 and 15 would only receive the BioNtech / Pfizer vaccine.

In May 2021, the BioNtech / Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for children over 12 years old. Moderna’s Spikevax was licensed for 12 to 17 year olds just two months later, in July 2021.