Deaths Due to COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine-Induced Myocarditis & Pericarditis: A Review
Creators: name: Hussain, Zahid
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2025
Subjects: Deaths
Due to
COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine-
Induced
Myocarditis &amp; Pericarditis:
A Review
side effects

description:  

Abstract

The introduction of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 represented a significant breakthrough in global efforts to curb the pandemic. However, rare adverse effects such as myocarditis and pericarditis have been reported post-vaccination, particularly among younger males. This review evaluates current data on fatalities attributed to vaccine-induced myocarditis and pericarditis, exploring incidence rates, pathophysiology, and risk assessment.

Introduction

The rapid deployment of mRNA vaccines, such as Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) and Moderna (mRNA-1273), has significantly reduced COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. However, post-market surveillance identified myocarditis and pericarditis as rare side effects, prompting further investigation into their prevalence and severity (Barda et al., 2021). Although most cases are mild and resolve with treatment, a small number of deaths have been reported, necessitating a critical analysis of available data.

Incidence and Mechanism of Vaccine-Induced Myocarditis & Pericarditis

Myocarditis and pericarditis involve inflammation of the heart muscle and pericardial sac, respectively. Post-vaccine cases are believed to result from an exaggerated immune response to the spike protein encoded by the mRNA vaccine (Diaz et al., 2021). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the highest incidence is observed in males aged 12-29, with rates ranging from 10-20 cases per million doses administered (Shimabukuro et al., 2021).

Reported Fatalities

While the majority of myocarditis and pericarditis cases post-vaccination are mild, rare fatalities have been documented. A study published in the European Heart Journal reviewed autopsy reports and identified a small number of deaths where myocarditis was deemed a likely cause (Gill et al., 2022). In a separate analysis by the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), approximately 20 confirmed deaths in the U.S. were linked to vaccine-related myocarditis as of mid-2022 (Mevorach et al., 2021).

Risk-Benefit Analysis

Despite the rare fatalities, health agencies maintain that the benefits of mRNA vaccination far outweigh the risks. COVID-19 itself has been associated with a significantly higher risk of severe myocarditis and cardiovascular complications compared to vaccination (Patone et al., 2022). Furthermore, enhanced surveillance and early intervention strategies have reduced the likelihood of severe outcomes (Husby et al., 2021).

 

Conclusion

The available evidence suggests that vaccine-induced myocarditis and pericarditis remain rare events, with an extremely low mortality rate. Continued research, active post-marketing surveillance, and transparent communication of risks and benefits are essential for public trust and informed decision-making. Future studies should focus on identifying potential genetic or immunological predispositions to adverse events to refine vaccination strategies.

References



Barda, N., Dagan, N., Ben-Shlomo, Y., et al. (2021). Safety of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in a nationwide setting. New England Journal of Medicine, 385(12), 1078-1090.

Diaz, G. A., Parsons, G. T., Gering, S. K., et al. (2021). Myocarditis and pericarditis after vaccination for COVID-19. JAMA, 326(12), 1210-1212.

Gill, J. R., Tashjian, R., & Duncanson, E. (2022). Autopsy findings in two adolescent boys who died after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. European Heart Journal, 43(5), 470-477.

Husby, A., Hansen, J. V., Fosbøl, E., et al. (2021). SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and myocarditis in a nationwide cohort study. BMJ, 375, e068665.

Mevorach, D., Anis, E., Cedar, N., et al. (2021). Myocarditis after BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine against Covid-19 in Israel. New England Journal of Medicine, 385(23), 2140-2149.

Patone, M., Mei, X. W., Handunnetthi, L., et al. (2022). Risk of myocarditis following sequential COVID-19 vaccinations by age and sex. Nature Medicine, 28(3), 410-422.

Shimabukuro, T. T., Nguyen, M., Martin, D., & DeStefano, F. (2021). Myocarditis cases reported after mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination in the US from December 2020 to August 2021. JAMA, 326(21), 2217-2228.