Sweden has suspended the use of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine for under 30s following reports of rare side effects, while Denmark has said it will no longer offer the shot to under 18s.
The national health agency of Sweden said data pointed to an increase of myocarditis and pericarditis among youths and young adults that have received the vaccine.
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart which can reduce the muscle’s ability to pump blood around the body. The condition can cause rapid or abnormal heart rhythms.
Pericarditis refers to an inflammation of the pericardium, a sac-like structure with two thin layers of tissue that surround the heart to hold it in place and help it work. Symptoms include chest pain similar to that experienced by a person during a heart attack.
Sweden's public health agency said it had paused the vaccine because of “signals of an increased risk of side effects such as inflammation of the heart muscle or the pericardium”.
The connection, it said, was especially clear when it came to Moderna's vaccine Spikevax, especially after the second dose. But the agency stressed that the risk of developing such side effects was "very small".
The agency said it was now recommending the Pfizer vaccine for Swedes born in 1991 or later. About 81,000 people in that age category who have received one shot of Moderna would be offered a different coronavirus vaccine for their second dose.
Anders Tegnell, Sweden’s chief epidemiologist, said health officials would “follow the situation closely and act quickly to ensure that vaccinations against Covid-19 are always as safe as possible and at the same time provide effective protection” against the disease.
Earlier this week the Swedish health agency said people aged between 12 and 15 would only get the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
Denmark’s health agency also blamed concerns over myocarditis for its decision to suspend the use of the Moderna vaccine for people under 18 years.
In April it became the first European country to cease using the AstraZeneca vaccine over concerns about rare cases of blood clots.
In July, the European Medicines Agency recommended authorising Moderna’s Covid vaccine for children aged between 12 and 17, the first time the shot had been authorised for people aged under 18.
The decision came six months after the EU regulator gave the green light for the Moderna vaccine to be used on people over 18 across the 27-nation bloc.
To date, only the Pfizer vaccine is approved for children under 18 in Europe and North America.
But medicines regulators in the US and Europe have cautioned that both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines appear linked to a rare reaction in teenagers and young adults – chest pain and heart inflammation.
The Swedish health authorities said the heart symptoms “usually go away on their own”, but they must be assessed by a doctor. It said the decision to suspend the Moderna vaccine was valid until December 1.
The conditions are most common among young men, in connection with, for example, viral infections such as Covid-19.
In 2019, about 300 people under the age of 30 were treated in hospital with myocarditis.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Avatar%20(2009)
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
More coverage from the Future Forum
SPEC%20SHEET
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UJDA CHAMAN
Produced: Panorama Studios International
Directed: Abhishek Pathak
Cast: Sunny Singh, Maanvi Gagroo, Grusha Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla
Rating: 3.5 /5 stars
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
If%20you%20go
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The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000