Background Clinical trials of the BNT162b2 vaccine, revealed efficacy and safety. We report six cases of myocarditis, which occurred shortly after BNT162b2 vaccination. Methods Patients were identified upon presentation to the emergency department with symptoms of chest pain/discomfort. In all study patients, we excluded past and current COVID-19. Routine clinical and laboratory investigations for common etiologies of myocarditis were performed. Laboratory tests also included troponin and C- reactive protein levels.The diagnosis of myocarditis was established after cardiac MRI. Findings Five patients presented after the second and one after the first dose of the vaccine. All patients were males with a median age of 23 years. Myocarditis was diagnosed in all patients.there was no evidence of COVID-19 infection. Laboratory assays excluded concomitant infection; autoimmune disorder was considered unlikely. All patients responded to the BNT162b2 vaccine. The clinical course was mild in all six patients. Interpretation Our report of myocarditis after BNT162b2 vaccination may be possibly considered as an adverse reaction following immunization. We believe our information should be interpreted with caution and further surveillance is warranted.

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Background/Aims: To compare the current differences with our earlier findings on the incidence and locations of colorectal cancer (CRC) among Israeli-born Jews and Arabs living within the same central coastal region in Israel. Methods: Data on demographics and the incidence and locations of malignancies were retrieved from hospital files of pathology-diagnosed patients with CRC throughout 1997–2003 and compared with equivalent data from 1988 to 1996. Results: Of the 624 patients recently diagnosed as having CRC, 562 (90.1%) were Jews and 62 (9.9%) were Arabs (p < 0.001). The average age of the entire cohort was significantly lower since our earlier study (72.9 ± 12.5 compared to 67.9 ± 12.7 years, p < 0.0001). The Jewish patients were significantly younger (p < 0.0001) but the Arab patients were not. The percentage of the adenocarcinoma being located in the right colon was significantly lower (p < 0.0006) and significantly higher in the rectum (p < 0.008). The reverse was true among the Jewish patients, but not significantly. Conclusions: Both study groups were younger than those in our earlier study. The lower incidence of CRC among the Arab patients persisted over time, but the location of their adenocarcinoma changed significantly. The increased incidence of CRC in ‘westernized’ countries is reflected in the Jewish but not the Arab community.