Vaccine opponents are misrepresenting a recent study that assessed a group of 15 children who were diagnosed with myopericarditis (inflammation of heart muscles) after receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Of the 15 patients, 10 had abnormal cardiac activity when evaluated. A physician with a large online following who has previously spread vaccine misinformation posted that 63 percent of children in the study experienced the abnormality without clarifying that the study only included a small group of children experiencing a rare vaccine side effect. The post also fails to mention that all of the children improved quickly after receiving treatment.
Recommendation:
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There is understandable and widespread concern about the potential for rare side effects after child vaccination. Responding with empathy and acknowledging the concerns of parents is recommended, as is explaining how vaccination will help protect both children and their families. Informational materials may emphasize that vaccines have been rigorously tested to make sure that they are safe for all vaccinated individuals, including children, and that adverse side effects are extremely rare. Reminding people that millions have died from COVID-19 and that the vaccines are our best way to keep more people from dying is also recommended, as is explaining that a child is at a much higher risk of myopericarditis from a COVID-19 infection than they are from the vaccine. Fact-Checking Source(s):
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