The COVID vaccine is significantly safer for children’s heart health than getting a COVID infection, a new report showed. The study, published in the The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, found that kids who experience a COVID infection are at a higher risk for serious symptoms such as blood clots, heart inflammation and low platelet counts. Children who got sick with COVID faced the following risks in the four weeks post-infection:
- 2.3 times more likely to develop artery clots and almost 5 times more likely to suffer vein clots
- 3.6 times more likely to have low platelet levels
- 3.5 times higher chance of myocarditis or pericarditis
- Almost 15 times greater risk of experiencing inflammatory conditions.
- This risk persists for up to 12 months post-infection.
The risk for vein blood clots (39%), low platelet levels (42%), and myocarditis or pericarditis (42%) remained significantly higher up to 12 months following the infection.
On the other hand, the vaccine carries a much smaller risk of a more limited range of complications (84% higher chance of myocarditis or pericarditis). As opposed to the longer terms risks of COVID illness, the risks associated with the vaccine go away after 4 weeks.
Full Story: HealthDay, The Lancet
