CECC advises against strenuous exercise after getting Pfizer-BioNTech jab

According to [Focus Taiwan], Taiwan will begin administering the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT) COVID-19 vaccine to high school students on Wednesday, and the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has advised that they avoid strenuous exercise for two weeks after getting the jab.

Recipients should watch for symptoms of myocarditis -- inflammation of the heart muscle -- and pericarditis -- inflammation of the outer lining of the heart -- within 28 days after BNT vaccination, Health and Welfare Minister Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) said at a daily press briefing of the CECC, which he heads.

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CECC reminds the public to pay attention to 5 major side effects of the BNT vaccine. (Photo / Provided by the CECC)

Symptoms include chest pain, chest pressure or chest tightness; shortness of breath; feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart; fainting; and a lower tolerance for exercise, Chen said.

People who experience such symptoms should seek prompt medical attention and tell doctors when they were vaccinated.

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The BNT vaccine began vaccinations on September 22. (Photo / Retrieved from Central News Agency)

Concerns over the side effects of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, such as the BNT vaccine, were raised after reports of young adults developing heart problems after getting the jabs.

According to [Focus Taiwan], the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said at the end of August that the risk of myocarditis is 18.5 cases per 1 million doses after a second dose of the BNT vaccine in people aged 18 to 24, considered to be the highest risk group.