As we get closer to approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5-11, I have received questions about the vaccine and the risk of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart. First and foremost, the risk of myocarditis as a consequence of the vaccine is extremely rare. Depending on the study you look at the risk of myocarditis following a dose of the vaccine is 0.0038%. Broken down a little further the risk for a male is 0.0038% and a female 0.00046%. The risk of developing a mild case of myocarditis is less than your risk of dying in a car accident.
And, the vast majority of cases of post vaccine myocarditis were mild and short lived. Currently, the risk of a child developing complications from a COVID-19 infection, including myocarditis and MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory disease) is significantly greater than any risk from the vaccine.
Bottom line, the vaccine is safe and effective (but not perfect) at preventing serious illness from COVID-19.