Finland pauses Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for men 30 and under due to heart inflammation risk

Finland announced on Thursday it will pause distribution of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to younger men, saying the small risk of heart inflammation exceeds the risk of contracting COVID-19 for that demographic. 

The study, which found that men under 30 had a "slightly higher risk than others of developing myocarditis" after receiving the Moderna vaccine, is scheduled to be published within a couple of weeks. Mika Salminen, the Finnish health institute's director, said Finland will give younger men the Pfizer vaccine in the meantime, according to Reuters.

Moderna said the incidents "are typically mild cases and individuals tend to recover within a short time following standard treatment and rest."

"The risk of myocarditis is substantially increased for those who contract COVID-19, and vaccination is the best way to protect against this," the company added.