Report cases of myocarditis after vaccination to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)

In recent weeks, there have been reports of myocarditis occurring after COVID-19 vaccination. CDC is aware of these reports, which are rare given the number of vaccine doses administered. To date, there has not been a safety signal identified in either VAERS or Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD).

Myocarditis is the inflammation of the heart muscle and pericarditis is the inflammation of the lining outside the heart. In both cases, the body's immune system is causing inflammation in response to an infection or some other trigger. While myocarditis can be serious, it is frequently mild and self-limited. Symptoms can include abnormal heart rhythms, shortness of breath, or chest pain.

CDC will continue to evaluate reports of myocarditis/pericarditis occurring after COVID-19 vaccination and will share more information as it becomes available. Health care providers should consider myocarditis in an evaluation of chest pain after vaccination and report all cases to VAERS. To submit an event, go to VAERS: Report an Adverse Event. There is a checklist on this page to help gather information needed when submitting a report (VAERS 2.0_Checklist (PDF)).