Retracted Canadian study that overestimated myocarditis after mRNA vaccine spreading among anti-vaxxers
A recent study by the Ottawa Heart Institute on myocarditis has been retracted, but not before it spread like wildfire throughout the anti-vaccine community.
The Canadian study detailing the rate of heart inflammation after an mRNA vaccine has been making the rounds on social media for the wrong reasons.
“As we all know, this exploded on social media and that’s unfortunate because there was a significant error in this and a significant calculation mistake,” said infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch.
The paper inaccurately reported a much higher incidence of the rare side effect, saying the reaction happened in 1 in 1000 patients.
“The current estimates are about 1 in 6000 to 1 in 25,000,” said Bogoch. “Some make it even rarer and the vast majority of these cases are mild and self resolved. But again, you have to acknowledge that this is still a potential side effect from the vaccine.”
30-year-old Matt Wubs recently had myocarditis after his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
“I was putting my head down on my desk just because I was so tired and I thought, 'You know what, this isn’t normal,'” said Wubs. “They were about to release me from the hospital here in Winchester, and then the bloodwork came back and that’s when my heart enzyme level was a lot higher than it should be.”
Wubs caught strep throat 10 years ago, which caused a similar inflammation around his heart called pericarditis. It’s not clear if the earlier infection played any part in the current myocarditis Wubs experienced.
“This time it was caught early enough that I didn’t have the same severe pain that I had suffered from before, 10 years previously,” said Wubs.
The authors of the article wouldn’t comment when contacted by CTV News Ottawa, but the Heart Institute released this statement:
“We are sorry a preprint paper citing incorrect data led to misinformation on the incidence of post-vaccine myocarditis. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and have been proven effective against the disease.”
The authors have since withdrawn the paper on the grounds of incorrect incidence data.
“The key thing here was, sure, there was a mathematical error. Errors can happen. Acknowledge that the error happened. Do the right thing, which they did,” said Bogoch.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.