COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis and pericarditis

In response to recent reports of myocarditis/pericarditis following vaccination with Pfizer Comirnaty vaccine, the COVID-19 Vaccine Immunisation Programme is working to strengthen the system-level approach to ensure the best possible outcomes for the population should they experience this adverse event.

Read the Ministry of Health update in full, also attached in the files section below.

The Ministry of Health need to ensure consumers are well informed of this rare side effect and know when to seek help and that the health system is poised to diagnose and clinically manage consumers with this condition appropriately. 

Myocarditis and pericarditis have been established as very rare but serious adverse events associated with the Comirnaty vaccine. Although people with these conditions are usually diagnosed, investigated and managed effectively within the health system, the Programme’s vaccination safety surveillance analysis, conducted in conjunction with Medsafe, highlights the need to reiterate the importance of timely assessment and management to prevent the serious consequences of myocarditis/pericarditis. 

How can practices help

• Engage local leadership to work with your Programme and site Clinical and Quality leads to ensure all vaccinators have up-to-date clinical knowledge and have reviewed the resources available on vaccine-associated myocarditis/pericarditis.
• Review the IMAC webinar as soon as practical, and ensure you are competent and confident to provide consumers with information on the symptoms of these conditions.
• Provide information via the printed collateral and brochures available, as well as verbally, to every consumer.
• Consider the possibility of myocarditis/pericarditis in people presenting with the symptoms above, in particular in the days or first few weeks following the vaccine.
• Review your local clinical pathways on myocarditis/pericarditis investigation and management and ensure they are accessible and known by clinicians.
• The vaccination pathway provides several touch points to share health education on the risk of vaccine-associated myocarditis/pericarditis. They are designed to all work together to raise consumer awareness about the vaccine and include: pre-vaccination screening, informed decision making, vaccinator check of understanding and consent, aftercare observation, and the range of information sheets. Please ensure you are familiar with the requirements of each stage in the process.
• Consider your local workforce education requirements and inform your IMAC regional advisor on any new or specific training needs. This may lead to opportunities for localised, regional, or national targeted training for at risk groups and tailored to local service provision