After health officials in Finland, Norway, Sweden and Iceland suspended use of the Moderna vaccine for younger people due to side effects including myocarditis, the Food and Drug Administration said the shot’s benefits still outweigh the risks.
Finland said males under 30 should not receive the shot. Denmark paused use for those under 18. Sweden paused use for those under 30. Iceland officials said they were going to suspend use of the shot as well.
The FDA acknowledged it is aware of the data, but “continues to find that the known and potential benefits of vaccination outweigh the known and potential risks for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.”
For its part, Moderna also acknowledged the “very rare occurrence of myocarditis and/or pericarditis following administration of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.”
According to Moderna’s statement, the cases are typically mild and individuals tend to recover within a short time.
“The risk of myocarditis is substantially increased for those who contract COVID-19,” the statement said. “And vaccination is the best way to protect against this.”
