VDH COVID-19 Update: Heart condition from vaccines rare, mild

COVID-19 Update

June 24, 2021

New or updated information is in red and bold

Published on Tuesdays and Thursdays

Also available online at healthvermont.gov/covid19

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CDC advisory committee says benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the risks, after review of heart problems in younger people

The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met Wednesday to discuss the latest data on reports of mild cases of inflammation of the heart muscle and surrounding tissue called myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination among younger people.

The panel of experts said this is an extremely rare side effect, and only an exceedingly small number of people will experience it after vaccination, according to a statement from the nation’s leading doctors, nurses and public health leaders.

Importantly, for the young people who do, most cases are mild, and they can recover often on their own or with minimal treatment. In addition, we know that myocarditis and pericarditis are much more common if you get COVID-19, and the risks to the heart from COVID-19 infection can be more severe, the statement said.

Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, said the committee’s findings underline the need for younger people to get vaccinated.

“Getting COVID-19 puts you at far more risk of heart problems, in addition to many other health risks,” Dr. Levine said. “This is why it’s so important to protect yourself, and your family, by getting vaccinated. And with more dangerous variants of the virus circulating, now is the time to do it. Overwhelmingly, the new cases of COVID in this country related to the Delta variant are in unvaccinated people.”

Vaccination clinics are still going strong — find one near you!

There are still plenty of vaccination opportunities throughout Vermont. Visit healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine to find one of the many nearby, fast and free vaccination opportunities available.

In addition, most pharmacies are offering walk-in vaccinations. Ask your local pharmacist or simply walk into a CVS, Hannaford Food and Drug, Walmart, Walgreens, Price Chopper/Market 32, Rite Aid, Shaw’s Supermarket, or Costco.

New vaccination options are being added regularly, so keep checking back. It’s easy to find one that fits your schedule and preferences.

Vermont Vaccination Data

Vermont Forward data — the percentage of Vermonters age 12 and older who have received at least one dose — can now be found on the Health Department COVID-19 vaccine dashboard: healthvermont.gov/covid19-vaccine-data.

Vermont Forward percentages draw on state-level data from CDC, which includes some data not reported to the Vermont Department of Health. CDC data is more inclusive, but less detailed, than Vermont Department of Health data. CDC statewide data used for vaccination rate estimates are different from the data used in other parts of the dashboard.

Find more Health Department vaccine data on the dashboard, including vaccination rates by county, age, sex, race and ethnicity. Data is updated Tuesdays through Saturdays.

COVID-19 Activity in Vermont

Find more COVID-19 Activity data at: healthvermont.gov/currentactivity.

Data as of 12 p.m. on June 24, 2021: