Analysis of 14 million children finds COVID-19 infection poses greater heart complication risk than vaccinationhttps://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-analysis-million-children-covid-infection.htmlThe study is the largest of its kind in this population, and is published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health. It was led by scientists at the Universities of Cambridge and Edinburgh, and University College London, with support from the BHF Data Science Center at Health Data Research UK.
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The research team uncovered these findings by analyzing linked electronic health records (EHRs) for nearly 14 million children in England under the age of 18 between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2022, covering 98% of this population.
During this period, 3.9 million children and young people had a first COVID-19 diagnosis. And 3.4 million had a first COVID-19 BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech) vaccine, the main vaccine used in 5–18-year-olds during the study period.
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After a first COVID-19 diagnosis, risks of the five conditions studied were highest in the first four weeks and, for several conditions, stayed higher for up to 12 months, compared to children and young people without or before a diagnosis.
In contrast, after COVID-19 vaccination, the team only saw a short-term higher risk of myocarditis or pericarditis in the first four weeks, compared to children and young people without or before vaccination. After that, the risk returned to the same level as the start of the study period.
Over six months, the research team estimated that COVID-19 infection led to 2.24 extra cases of myocarditis or pericarditis per 100,000 children and young people who had COVID-19. In those who were vaccinated, there were only 0.85 extra cases per 100,000 children and young people.
Studies of 3.9M and 3.4M children ... a LOT of subjects studied!
"... COVID-19 infection led to 2.24 extra cases of myocarditis or pericarditis per 100,000 ..." converted to percentage, Covid caused .00224% extra cases (87 or 88 in 3,900,000). The risks "stayed higher for up to 12 months".
"... In those who were vaccinated, there were only 0.85 extra cases per 100,000 ..." converted to percentage, the Pfizer vaccine caused .00085% extra cases (29 in 3,400,000). There was "a short-term higher risk of myocarditis or pericarditis in the first four weeks ... . After that, the risk returned to the same level as the start of the study period."
