New ONS Study: Covid Jab Safe for Young Brits – Mostly
The government’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout has been closely monitored for safety – especially among young people, who face lower risks from the virus itself. With rare side effects reported, experts have been keen to weigh up the jab’s risks against its huge benefits. Now, fresh analysis from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) sheds light on the true picture.
Rare Heart Risks Seen, But Deaths Still Extremely Low
Previous reports flagged very rare cases of myocarditis and myopericarditis linked to mRNA vaccines in young people, plus clotting issues tied to non-mRNA jabs. The ONS counted 59 deaths in England and Wales up to January 2023 where vaccine side effects were listed as a cause. Just three of those were under 30, suggesting fatal reactions remain exceptionally rare – although some cases may have slipped under the radar.
In the latest ONS study, researchers tracked death rates within 12 weeks of each vaccine dose, comparing this to long-term death rates to spot any abnormal increases tied to the jab.
Good News for Most, But Slight Warning for Young Women on Non-mRNA Jabs
The findings bring relief: for most young people aged 12 to 29, there’s no overall hike in death or cardiac death risk after vaccination. However, there’s a small red flag for females who got a first dose of non-mRNA or unknown vaccines. This group faced a slight rise in cardiac deaths – roughly 6 extra deaths per 100,000 vaccinated young women.
The ChAdOx1 Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine was pulled from under-30s in April 2021 after these safety concerns. At that time, only vulnerable youngsters got it, possibly skewing risks for that group. Young men showed no increased risk for any vaccine type.
Covid Infection Far Deadlier Than Jab
The study also confirmed what most suspected: catching COVID-19 poses a much higher risk of heart-related and other deaths in young people – whether vaccinated or not.
Vaccines Save Lives Despite Minor Risks
Despite the rare side effects, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks. ONS data shows jabs cut hospitalisation and death risks by huge margins even in teens and twenties. Boosters provided a 71% drop in COVID-19 deaths among 16 to 29-year-olds.
These latest findings help shape sensible vaccine policies that protect public health while keeping a close eye on safety – especially for younger people where balancing risk and benefit is crucial.
