Covid Vaccine Safety: New ONS Report Puts Young People’s Fears to Rest
Since the Covid vaccine rollout began, tracking its safety has been crucial—especially in young people who face lower risk from the virus itself. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has dropped fresh analysis on vaccine-related deaths and risks for the under-30s. Here’s the lowdown.
Rare But Serious Side Effects Under Scrutiny
Some rare but worrying issues have popped up before. Young people have had cases of myocarditis and myopericarditis linked to mRNA vaccines, and blood clots tied to non-mRNA jabs like AstraZeneca’s. The ONS shows 59 deaths in England and Wales potentially tied to vaccine side effects up to January 2023—three were under 30.
But that’s probably an underestimate, says the ONS, because not all vaccine-related deaths get flagged during certification. To dig deeper, researchers analysed deaths within 12 weeks of vaccination using a “self-controlled case study” method to spot any spikes after doses.
Good News: No Overall Rise in Death Risk
The verdict? Overall, young people aged 12-29 do not face a higher risk of dying—cardiac-related or otherwise—after Covid vaccination. But there’s a catch for young women after their first dose of a non-mRNA or unknown vaccine. Their risk of cardiac death showed a slight bump—6 extra deaths per 100,000 females vaccinated with a non-mRNA jab.
This aligns with safety concerns that led to the withdrawal of AstraZeneca’s jab for under-30s back in April 2021. Back then, mostly vulnerable young people got non-mRNA vaccines, so their risk might not match the general population.
Men under 30 showed no increased risk of death from any vaccine type.
Covid Infection Still Deadlier Than the Jab
The study also confirmed a stark fact: testing positive for Covid raises the risk of cardiac and all-cause death for young people, vaccinated or not. So while no vaccine is totally risk-free, Covid itself remains the bigger danger.
Why These Findings Matter
Vaccines aren’t risk-free, but their benefits far outweigh the perils, particularly in preventing hospitalisations and death. ONS research found the first booster cut Covid death risk by 71% in 16-to-29-year-olds.
Together with other studies, this fresh data helps policymakers balance risks versus rewards—ensuring future vaccine decisions protect public health smartly and safely.
