A population-based assessment of myocarditis after messenger RNA COVID-19 booster vaccination among adult recipients

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to estimate the rate of myocarditis after the messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 booster vaccination by vaccine type, age, and sex.

Methods: We used data from the British Columbia COVID-19 Cohort, a population-based cohort surveillance platform. The exposure was a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine. The outcome was diagnosis of myocarditis during hospitalization or an emergency department visit within 7-21 days of booster vaccination.

Results: The overall rate of myocarditis was lower for the booster dose (6.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.50-10.75) than the second dose (17.97, 95% CI: 13.78-23.04); (Rate ratio_{booster vs dose-2} = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.17-0.61). This difference was more apparent for the mRNA-1273 vaccine type. After the second dose, the myocarditis rate in males was significantly lower for BNT162b2 than mRNA-1273 overall and among those aged 18-39 years. In contrast, after the booster dose, no significant differences between myocarditis and vaccine type was observed overall or within the specific age groups among males or females.

Conclusion: Myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccines is a rare event. A lower absolute risk of myocarditis was observed after a booster dose of mRNA vaccine than the primary series second dose.

Keywords: Booster dose; Myocarditis; SARS-CoV-2; mRNA vaccination.