A LARGE UK study has found that COVID vaccination is associated with smaller risk of rare heart complications compared to COVID infection itself in children.
An analysis of health records covering nearly 14 million people under 18 years old between January 2020 and December 2022 assessed the short- and long-term risks of health conditions associated with COVID-19 diagnosis and vaccination.
While there was a small increase in the risk of myocarditis or pericarditis within the first four weeks after vaccination, there was a greater - though still small - increased risk after COVID infection.
"This study confirms what many other studies have shown - that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are safe and effective in reducing the risks of serious complications of COVID-19 infection," said Prof Raina MacIntyre from the Kirby Institute at UNSW, who was not involved with the study.
"No vaccine or drug is 100% safe - all have side effects, but they go through a rigorous process to ensure that the benefits far outweigh the risks."
Prof MacIntyre reinforced that this study is among many studies that show the risk versus benefit clearly favours vaccines for children.
"The risk of myocarditis is low - one to three per 100,000 children - and there is a much higher risk of myocarditis after COVID-19 infection, as we have also shown," she said.
The study authors said the research provides important evidence to inform vaccination policies and support risk-benefit discussions with caregivers and healthcare professionals when considering COVID vaccination in children.
Read the study HERE.
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