Israel Finds 275 Cases Of Heart Inflammation In Young Men Recipient Of Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine

JAKARTA - Israel's Ministry of Health announced the discovery of a small number of cases of heart inflammation, in young men receiving Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine in Israel, possibly related to vaccination.

In its announcement Tuesday, June 1, Israel's Ministry of Health reported the discovery of 275 cases of myocarditis between December 2020 and May 2021, among more than 5 million people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Most patients who develop inflammation of the heart spend no more than four days in the hospital. And, 95 percent of the cases were classified as mild according to a study the Israeli Ministry of Health said was conducted by three teams of experts.

"The study found there was a possible association between receiving a second dose (of the Pfizer vaccine) and the development of myocarditis among men aged 16 to 30 years," the ministry said.

According to the findings, such an association was observed more among men aged 16 to 19 years than any other age group.

Pfizer said in a statement that it was aware of Israel's observations of myocarditis, noting no causal link with its established vaccine.

"Side effects are thoroughly reviewed and Pfizer meets regularly with the Israeli Ministry of Health's Vaccine Safety Department to review the data," Pfizer said.

Previously, Israel had delayed administering the COVID-19 vaccine to children aged 12-15 years, pending a report from the Ministry of Health. Along with the publication of this report, the ministry committee approved vaccination for those aged 12-15 years.

"The committee gave the green light to vaccinate children aged 12 to 15, and this will be possible starting next week," Israel's Pandemic Coordinator Nachman Ash told Radio 103 FM.

To note, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory group last month recommended further studies of the possible link between myocarditis and mRNA vaccines, which include vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna Inc.

The CDC's monitoring system did not find more cases than expected in the population, but the advisory group said in a statement it felt health care providers should be notified of reports of 'potential side effects'.

Israel has become a world leader in rolling out COVID-19 vaccinations. About 55 percent of the population has finished receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.