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Moderna vaccine: The serious side effect that ‘particularly’ follows second dose – CDC

NHS worker clashes with host over coronavirus vaccinations

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New daily cases of coronavirus are soaring ahead of winter, raising the spectre of a return to tighter restrictions. The concerning trend underlines the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 to reduce the rate of hospitalisations and deaths. That’s why health officials are urging those eligible to take advantage of a Covid vaccine booster shot to top up waning immunity.

Health bodies continue to monitor the safety of the vaccines as they steadily make their way into more arms.

Ongoing analyses from the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) safety surveillance systems have identified “increased risks of inflammatory heart conditions, myocarditis and pericarditis, following vaccination with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, particularly following the second dose”.

According to the health bodies, onset of symptoms has typically been a few days following vaccination.

“The observed risk is higher among males under 40 years of age, particularly males 18 through 24, than among females and older males,” they note.

READ MORE: Covid vaccine linked to risk of health issues like stroke

Myocarditis and pericarditis are inflammatory diseases of the heart that can occur following infections or immune diseases.

Most myocarditis and pericarditis cases linked to mRNA vaccination have so far been mild and patients have recovered quickly.

People who experience any of these symptoms after having an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, such as Moderna, are advised to seek prompt medical attention:

  • Chest pain
  • pressure or discomfort in the chest
  • irregular, skipped heartbeats or ‘fluttering’
  • fainting
  • shortness of breath
  • pain when breathing.

The case to get vaccinated

The risks posed by the vaccines remain marginal up against the risks posed by catching COVID-19 if you’re unvaccinated.

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The booster vaccines have been shown to help improve the protection you have from your first two doses of the vaccine.

It helps give you longer-term protection against getting seriously ill from COVID-19.

Booster vaccine doses will be available on the NHS for people most at risk from COVID-19 who have had a second dose of a vaccine at least six months ago.

This includes:

  • People aged 50 and over
  • People who live and work in care homes
  • Frontline health and social care workers
  • People aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19
  • People aged 16 and over who are a main carer for someone at high risk from COVID-19
  • People aged 16 and over who live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis).

People who are pregnant and in one of the eligible groups can also get a booster dose.

Most people will be invited to book an appointment at a larger vaccination centre, pharmacy, or local NHS service such as a GP surgery.

Most people will be offered a booster dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or Moderna vaccine.

This means your booster dose may be different from the vaccines you had for your first and second doses.

Some people may be offered a booster dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine if they cannot have the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine.

According to the NHS, most people who can get a COVID-19 booster vaccine are also eligible for the annual flu vaccine.

“If you are offered both vaccines, it’s safe to have them at the same time.”

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