Sweden stops use of Moderna’s COVID vaccine in children under 30

Stockholm – The Swedish Public Health Agency on Wednesday recommended temporarily stopping the use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in young adults, citing concerns about rare side effects on the heart. He said the hiatus was initially expected to be in effect until December 1, explaining that he had received evidence of an increased risk of side effects such as inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) and inflammation of the heart. pericardium (pericarditis).

“The Public Health Agency has decided to suspend the use of Moderna’s Spikevax vaccine, for all people born in 1991 and after, for reasons of caution,” the agency said in a statement, adding that these groups should receive the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine instead.

According to the agency, the risk seemed particularly related to the second dose of the Moderna vaccine and was more prevalent in young men and boys, and in the weeks after the second vaccine. Symptoms usually go away on their own, but should be evaluated by a doctor, he added.

In June, the US FDA said it was adding a warning to Pfizer and Moderna vaccines after a CDC advisory group said data suggested a “likely association” between vaccines and rare cases of myocarditis in adolescents. and young adults. Despite the warning, doctors and researchers say they still strongly recommend that all Americans 12 and older get the vaccine, noting that heart problems are rare and in most cases very mild.

Two separate vaccines studies subsequently concluded, however, that COVID-19 itself poses a higher risk of symptoms, including heart inflammation, than vaccines.

“Those who are vaccinated recently, with their first or second dose of Moderna vaccine, need not worry as the risk is very minor, but it is good to know what symptoms you need to look for,” he said. epidemiologist. Anders Tegnell said in a statement.

Some 81,000 people of the age range have already received a first jab in Sweden, but they will not be offered a second, the agency said, adding that “discussions are ongoing on the best solution for this group” .

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) cleared the emergency use of Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine for adolescents in July.