Sweden stops using Modern vaccines for young adults
The Swedish Health Authority said that the risk seems to be particularly linked to the second dose of the vaccine, which leads to an increased risk of side effects such as myocarditis and pericarditis
Representative image. News18
Stockholm, Sweden: The Swedish Public Health Agency has recommended a temporary stop to the use of Moderna covid-19 vaccine among young adults, citing concerns about rare side effects in the heart.
Neighboring countries Norway and Denmark also reiterated that the Mother’s vaccine was not recommended for those under 18 years of age.
The Swedish Health Care Agency said that the suspension applied to everyone born after 1991 and should initially apply until December 1, and explained that it had received evidence of an increased risk of side effects such as inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) and inflammation of the pericardium (pericarditis).
“The Public Health Agency has decided to suspend the use of the Maternal Vaccine Spike Vaccine, for all born in 1991 and after, for precautionary reasons,” the agency said in a statement, adding that these groups should receive the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine instead.
According to the agency, the risk seems to be particularly linked to the second dose of the Moderna vaccine and is more widespread among young men and boys, and in the weeks just after the second bite.
The symptoms usually go away on their own, but should be evaluated by a doctor, it added.
“Those who have recently been vaccinated, with their first or second dose of the Mother’s vaccine, do not have to worry because the risk is very small, but it is good to know what symptoms you should be looking for,” said epidemiologist Anders Tegnell in a statement.
The health authority’s recommendations provide guidance for Sweden’s regional healthcare district and are generally followed.
About 81,000 people in the age group have already received a first shot in Sweden, but they will not be offered a second, the agency said, adding that “discussions were ongoing about the best solution for this group.”
In Denmark, the vaccination program for people aged 12 to 17 currently only offers Pfizer / BioNTech’s Comirnaty vaccine, but the country’s health authority said on Wednesday that this practice would be formalized.
“Based on the precautionary principle, in the future we will invite children and adolescents to take this vaccine exclusively,” said Bolette Soborg of the healthy in a statement, noting the availability of more information on the use of Pfizer / BioNTech vaccines among young people.
The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) reiterated its recommendation to only vaccinate under-18s with Comirnaty, but added that men under 30 should also consider choosing the Pfizer / BioNTech jab when vaccinated.
“It is important to emphasize that Spikevax from Moderna is an equally effective vaccine against covid-19 as Comirnaty, and both types of vaccine are still recommended for people over the age of 30, says Geir Bukholm, Deputy Director General at FHI, in a statement.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved the emergency use of Moderna covid-19 vaccine for teenagers in July.