# Insights from the Latest Autopsy Study on mRNA Vaccine Recipients
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Understanding the Autopsy Study
A recent autopsy study from Germany has sparked significant attention, particularly among those skeptical of vaccines. Conducted by reputable pathologists, the findings have been interpreted by some as conclusive evidence that mRNA vaccines can be lethal. However, this interpretation lacks proper context. This study might also prompt a discussion on the need for personalized vaccination strategies based on its findings.
Study Overview and Findings
The research titled "Histopathological Analysis of Myocarditis Following Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination" appeared in Clinical Research in Cardiology. It was led by Dr. Peter Schirmacher, a prominent figure in pathology and the acting chairman of the German Society of Pathology. The study examined 35 autopsy cases of individuals who passed away within 20 days post-vaccination against COVID-19. Notably, 10 of these autopsies indicated that the deaths were not related to the vaccine, primarily due to pre-existing health conditions.
Among the remaining 25 cases, only five exhibited signs of myocarditis potentially linked to the vaccine. Importantly, none of these individuals had COVID-19, as confirmed by negative nasopharyngeal swabs. The specifics regarding their age, sex, and vaccine type are provided in the corresponding table below. All five individuals died within a week of receiving the mRNA vaccine.
Further examinations showed that inflammatory cells were present in the myocardium, particularly on the heart's right side. The authors speculate that inadvertent vaccine injection into blood vessels may contribute to these myocarditis cases. The infiltrating cells were predominantly lymphocytes, including CD4 helper T-cells and macrophages. Damage to heart muscle cells was observed in three of the five cases, indicating a concerning trend.
The study also compared these findings against control cardiac tissues from three separate pre-pandemic cohorts, revealing no similar autopsy results. This suggests that the myocardial issues observed in the vaccine group are relatively unprecedented.
Clarifying Misinterpretations
It's crucial to understand that this study does not provide a measure of how frequently mRNA vaccine-induced myocarditis occurs. While five out of 35 autopsies showed evidence of this condition, these numbers do not reflect the broader vaccinated population. The authors clarify, "Our autopsy study is descriptive in nature and does not lend itself to epidemiological conclusions regarding incidence or risk."
In a meta-analysis involving 23 studies with 854 predominantly young male patients who experienced post-vaccine myocarditis, there were no fatalities or instances requiring mechanical support. Although 93% of these patients were hospitalized, the mortality rate from vaccine-induced myocarditis is exceedingly low—close to 0%. In contrast, myocarditis caused by viral infections, including COVID-19, has a mortality rate of approximately 10%.
Despite this, various media outlets have sensationalized the German study, framing mRNA vaccines as hazardous and insinuating that even mild myocarditis can be deadly. One particular video garnered over a million views within two weeks, contributing to widespread concern.
The findings do indicate that the myocardial damage observed is not severe enough to result in heart failure, and fatalities likely stemmed from cardiac arrest or irregular rhythms. However, it’s essential to recognize that fatal myocarditis, even classified as mild, is extremely rare.
From previous reviews of over 120 peer-reviewed studies, I deduced that:
- The rate of deaths occurring shortly after vaccination, irrespective of cause, stands at 24 per million vaccinees.
- The rate of suspected vaccine-related deaths is 0.5 per million.
- The rate of deaths likely caused by the vaccine is 0.05 per million.
Thus, this German autopsy research does not imply that mRNA vaccines are causing widespread fatality; such occurrences are rare, particularly in the context of mass global vaccination efforts.
Implications of the Study
The authors of the study suggest that myocarditis could also arise from immune reactions to the spike protein of the virus, particularly among those predisposed to CD4 T-cell-related autoimmune disorders. They further propose that immune responses might target components of the mRNA vaccine itself, such as lipid nanoparticles, as myocarditis has not been reported with viral-vectored DNA vaccines.
A more compelling theory posits that while a more potent vaccine elicits a stronger immune response against COVID-19, it also increases the likelihood of myocarditis. The Novavax subunit vaccine is suggested to have the highest risk, followed by Moderna and Pfizer, with DNA and inactivated vaccines presenting the least risk.
The findings from the German autopsy study imply that while mRNA vaccine-induced myocarditis can be serious, it is not common. This data may lead to shifts in vaccination policies, particularly regarding booster shots, as many individuals globally have received at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
For example, young men face a heightened risk of developing myocarditis from mRNA vaccines while simultaneously being at a lower risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. Some national studies indicate that the risk of myocarditis following Moderna vaccination surpasses that of COVID-19 itself in young men.
As such, it may be prudent to avoid administering Novavax subunit or Moderna vaccines to young men when safer alternatives are available, particularly for boosters amid low COVID-19 transmission rates.
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