KAWARTHA LAKES-Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr Kieran Moore announced today that due to an increase in the number of cases of heart inflammation called Myocarditis in young men they would be recommending the Pfizer vaccine over the Moderna vaccine for that age group.
Officials say between June and August the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis for males aged 18 to 24 following a second dose of Moderna was one in 5,000. For those who received the Pfizer-BioNTech, the rate was one in 28,000 according to the province. This is a recommendation and residents in the age group can still take the Moderna vaccine if they choose. One is 17,000 females who received Moderna also developed heart inflammation.
As of September 18, 2021, there have been 389 reports of myocarditis or pericarditis following receipt of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in Ontario. Additionally, there are 69 reports classified as ‘persons under investigation’ as public health units are still collecting additional information on the AEFI report.
According to Public Health Ontario (PHO),of the 389 reports of myocarditis or pericarditis, 214 (55.0%) reports had a hospital admission. Among the 184 reports where both the date of admission and discharge was available for review, the median length of stay was two days. The highest reporting rates were observed in younger age groups (12-17 and 18-24 years) and among males.
It’s unclear why there was no change in the recommendation for the 12-17-year-olds or for females whose risk is increased as well.
34% of Covid cases in the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit catchment area since July 1st were vaccinated.
In her weekly COVID update, local Medical Officer of Health, Dr Natalie Bocking said of the 279 cases since July, 19.7% are partially vaccinated and 14% are fully vaccinated. 66% were not vaccinated.
Approximately 85% of the local population aged 12 and over have received at least one dose of COVID vaccine, 80% are at two doses.
