COVID-19 Infections Pose Hidden Heart Dangers for Kids—And It’s Not What You Think
When it comes to COVID-19, most of us worry about severe illness or hospitalization, especially in children. But here’s where it gets controversial: new research reveals that the real danger might not be the virus itself, but the long-term heart risks it leaves behind. And this is the part most people miss—these risks are significantly higher after infection compared to vaccination.
In the largest study of its kind, published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanchi/article/PIIS2352-4642(25)00247-0/fulltext), scientists from the Universities of Cambridge and Edinburgh, along with University College London, analyzed data from nearly 14 million children in England under 18. The findings? Children who had COVID-19 were more likely to develop heart, vascular, or inflammatory issues compared to those who received the vaccine—and these risks persisted for up to 12 months after infection.
Lead author Dr. Alexia Sampri from the University of Cambridge explains, “While these conditions are rare, our study shows that the risks after COVID-19 infection are not only higher but also last much longer than those associated with vaccination.”
The research team examined electronic health records (EHRs) from 98% of England’s child population between January 2020 and December 2022. During this period, 3.9 million children had a first COVID-19 diagnosis, while 3.4 million received the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine, the primary vaccine for 5-18-year-olds. All data was anonymized and accessed securely within the NHS England Secure Data Environment (SDE).
The study focused on rare but serious complications, including blood clots, low platelet levels, and heart inflammation (myocarditis or pericarditis). After infection, the risk of these conditions peaked in the first four weeks but remained elevated for up to a year. In contrast, vaccination was linked to a short-term increase in myocarditis or pericarditis risk—only in the first four weeks—before returning to baseline levels.
Here’s a startling comparison: over six months, COVID-19 infection led to 2.24 extra cases of myocarditis or pericarditis per 100,000 children, while vaccination resulted in just 0.85 extra cases per 100,000. This raises a thought-provoking question: Are we underestimating the long-term risks of COVID-19 in children?
While previous studies have highlighted the risks of myocarditis after vaccination, particularly with mRNA vaccines, this is the first research to directly compare the long-term risks of both infection and vaccination in children. “Parents have faced tough decisions throughout the pandemic,” says co-author Professor Pia Hardelid from UCL. “Our goal is to provide clear, data-driven insights to help families and healthcare professionals make informed choices.”
Professor Angela Wood from the University of Cambridge adds, “As new variants emerge and immunity evolves, the risks associated with infection could change. That’s why ongoing, population-level health monitoring is crucial for guiding public health decisions.”
But here’s the counterpoint: Some argue that the rare risks of vaccination, though short-lived, still outweigh the benefits for children who are less likely to develop severe COVID-19. What do you think? Are the long-term risks of infection a greater concern than the short-term risks of vaccination?
Professor William Whiteley from the University of Edinburgh sums it up: “Children and their families deserve reliable information to make health decisions. Our data shows that while risks are low overall, they are lower after vaccination than after infection.”
This study isn’t just about numbers—it’s about empowering parents, caregivers, and young people with the knowledge to protect their health. But it also opens the door to debate. Should we prioritize protecting children from long-term infection risks, or focus on minimizing even rare vaccine side effects? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) may be of a point-in-time nature and has been edited for clarity, style, and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s). View in full here (https://www.miragenews.com/covid-infection-poses-greater-heart-risks-for-1564180/).
