Ollie Wines hits back at claims Port Adelaide star’s heart irregularity is linked to the COVID jab

Ollie Wines has refuted claims that his health scare last weekend was linked to the Covid jab, insisting that his heart irregularity was ‘completely unrelated’ to the vaccine. 

Wines, 27, was withdrawn during the first half of Port’s dismal defeat by reigning premiers Melbourne, with the Brownlow Medallist spending a night in hospital where an irregular heartbeat was discovered.

He was released on Friday and spent the weekend under medical observation, and won’t be involved in the Power’s Round 5 clash against Carlton.

Wines’ medical scare has been the subject of debate, with pundits on Channel 9’s Footy Show speculating that his heart palpitations were related to the Covid vaccine. 

However, Wines insists that the two are ‘completely unrelated’ and explained that his experience is ‘pretty common’ among elite athletes.   

‘It’s nothing to do with that. It’s completely unrelated,’ Wines said on Monday, speaking outside Calvary Hospital.

‘It’s more a heart rhythm issue that is pretty common in elderly people and elite athletes.

The 27-year-old was withdrawn from the Power’s defeat by Melbourne with heart palpitations

Tests detected a heart irregularity but Wines insists that the issue is ‘completely unrelated’ to the Covid vaccine after speculation from pundits on Channel 9’s Footy Show 

‘Once it was explained to me it was very reassuring and there’s not too many long-term effects.

‘The prognosis is really positive. I’ve got a few more tests to come and to see the cardiologist again but at this stage it’s not a big issue.’

Wines will undergo further tests but hopes not to miss too much footy in the coming weeks. 

‘There were a few little issues but they’ve been rectified now,’ he added. 

‘I’ll miss this week at this stage but there are some more tests to look into this week just to get a bit of an idea of a time frame but hopefully not too much footy.

‘It was (a bit scary) during the game and then after the game when I went off to hospital and they rushed me off when they saw something was wrong, but the Calvary staff, the cardiologist and nurses there were so reassuring and really put my mind at ease.’

Anderson posted this message on Instagram for his fans and he is hopeful of returning to AFL action this Friday against the Bulldogs.

The Australian Government’s Department of Health has confirmed that there is a small increased risk of pericarditis and/or myocarditis in people who have received messenger RNA Covid-19 vaccines including the Pfizer and Moderna jabs. 

‘Symptoms of myocarditis or pericarditis typically appear within 1 to 5 days of vaccination. People who experience any of these symptoms after having an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should seek prompt medical attention,’ the government website says. 

Wines’ comments come after North Melbourne star Jed Anderson revealed he developed the heart condition pericarditis after getting his second Covid vaccination in order to continue his AFL career.

Anderson had been reluctant to get his second jab after he experienced an adverse reaction from his initial vaccination. All AFL players are required to be double-vaccinated which led to a standoff between Anderson and the club.

Eventually, he got the second vaccination and was then hospitalised with pericarditis which is a swelling and irritation of the thin, sac-like membrane surrounding the heart.