Taiwan Suspends 2nd Dose Pfizer COVID Vax in Ages 12-17 for Heart Complications

Taiwan’s health minister Chen Shih-Chung said the country is suspending administering second doses of Pfizer-BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine to children aged 12-17 amid concerns that it may increase the risk of myocarditis.

QUICK FACTS:
  • According to local Taiwanese media, the health minister stated that a panel of specialists would study the data on instances of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the heart’s outer membrane) and make a decision in two weeks, WION reports.
  • “Taiwan’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices had decided to hold off on administering second doses to the 12-17 age group and will meet in two weeks to make a final decision on the matter,” he said.
  • Chen indicated that during these two weeks, experts on the committee will collect and review data on cases of myocarditis and pericarditis in other countries and Taiwan.
WION REPORTS:

According to Central Epidemic Command Center spokesperson Chuang Jen-hsiang, 1.1 million people aged between 12-17 have received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in Taiwan.

Out of those, 17 cases of myocarditis or pericarditis have been reported. Fourteen of the patients were male and three were female, Chuang said.

Some countries have adjusted their policies regarding administering COVID-19 vaccines to adolescents. For instance, Hong Kong has changed from two doses of BNT to only a single dose for those aged 12-17. The U.K. has done something similar, recommending only one shot for children between 12 and 18 years of age, according to news outlet CNA.

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