• Healthy State
  • Careers
  • Education
  • Research
  • Giving
Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
  • About
  • Find A Doctor (current)
  • Find A Location
  • Specialties & Treatments
MyOchsner Logo
Login | Signup
Submit Search magnifying glass icon
Close Search X icon
  •   Home
  • In To Your Health...
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • I need to...
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Find A Specialty
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Pay A Bill
  • Explore
  • About Ochsner
  • Careers
  • Patients & Visitors
  • "To Your Health" Blog
  • Health Resources
  • Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Outreach
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Research
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Call: 1-866-624-7637
  • Online: Login to MyOchsner
  • Personalize your content
  • patient Edit Persona Persona Chooser
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
Doctor checking teen girls heart

Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Causing Heart Inflammation in Children?

May 27, 2021 |
By Jake Kleinmahon, MD and Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the FDA are looking into reported cases of a heart condition called myocarditis in patients who have received the COVID-19 vaccine. After several cases were reported, the CDC launched an investigation into the cause of this condition.

What is myocarditis?

Myocarditis is a condition marked by inflammation of the muscular layer of the heart wall. In most cases, myocarditis can be treated and the heart will return to normal function. In more severe cases, and when left untreated, myocarditis can leave permanent damage or even result in a heart transplant.

Symptoms of myocarditis include:

  • Chest pain
  • Heart palpitations (abnormal rhythm)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Is myocarditis linked to the COVID-19 vaccine?

As more data emerges it appears that there is a higher incidence of myocarditis in young adults who have received the COVID-19 vaccine. The rate of myocarditis after the COVID-19 is very low, with about 16 cases per 1 million young adults. As the investigation continues, the CDC, FDA, and other regulatory agencies will determine whether these cases are related to the vaccine or purely coincidental.

Cases have been reported more in boys than girls, and signs of this condition typically appear within four days of receiving the vaccine. Myocarditis is most commonly seen in this age group in children who have not received any recent vaccines. Reported symptoms include mostly mild heart problems, so the CDC recommends that parents of the patients monitor for other common symptoms like those listed above.

Should my child get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes! Myocarditis after the COVID-19 vaccination is rare and all known cases have recovered.

Keep in mind that the benefits of getting the vaccine far outweigh the risks, especially given the fact that COVID-19 itself can cause a much severe myocarditis in those affected. There have been over 3,500 cases of severe inflammatory syndromes, including myocarditis, in children due to the COVID-19 virus.

In May 2021, the Food and Drug Administration extended emergency use authorization of the COVID-19 vaccine to children 12 through 15 years of age. The CDC is continuing to urge all who are eligible to get the vaccine. To learn more, visit Ochsner.org/vaccine.

Tags
Covid-19 Vaccine
COVID-19
pediatrics
pediatric cardiology
ochsnerlsu

You may also be interested in:

Teenage boy
Health Trends
May 6, 2022

COVID Vaccine for Kids Under 16

The Pfizer vaccine for teenagers ages 12 to 15 is the same two-dose regimen currently being administered to those who are ages 16 and older.
By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD and Katherine Baumgarten, MD and Diana Peterson, MD, MPH
Girl getting vaccination
Conditions & Treatment
May 6, 2022

When Will Kids Under 12 Be Able to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials are underway in children as young as 6 months old, and we can expect to hear more on when kids under the age of 12 will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in the coming months.
By Diana Peterson, MD, MPH
Person getting bandaid on their arm
Prevention & Wellness
December 9, 2020

How Are Vaccines Approved?

Learn about the many steps vaccine makers must follow before any vaccine, including a COVID-19 vaccine, is approved in the United States.
By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

email envelop icon Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health

Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637

Follow us: Facebook Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok Twitter Follow Ochsner Health on Twitter LinkedIn Visit Ochsner Health's LinkedIn page Instagram Follow Ochsner Health on Instagram YouTube Subscribe to Ochsner Health on YouTube Pinterest Follow Ochsner Health on Pinterest TikTok Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok

Healthy living tips, delivered weekly to your inbox.

Sign Up

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Healthy State
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

newsletter icon

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

newsletter icon

Select the newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition
newsletter icon

Let us know where to send your newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:
To Your Health-Mental Health Monthly":
To Your Health- Skin Deep:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:
newsletter icon

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox.

Ochsner Health System
magnifying glass icon
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide