Third death considered linked to COVID-19 vaccine
The COVID-19 Vaccine Independent Safety Monitoring Board (the Board) has notified the Ministry of Health of a third death in New Zealand considered to be linked to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty).
This is a tragic circumstance, and the Board expresses their sympathy to the individual’s whānau and friends.
The Board first reviewed the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring (CARM) report of a death in December 2021. At the time, there was not enough information available to determine the potential role of the vaccine.
The Board met in March 2022 to consider all the information available, which showed that the individual had myocarditis at the time of death.
In the weeks prior to their death, the individual had received a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
The Board considers that the development of myocarditis was possibly due to vaccination with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. It’s important to note this case is with the coroner who is still investigating the cause of death.
The Board also considers that the circumstances of this case does not impact or change the known information on myocarditis.
This is the third death in New Zealand that is considered to be linked to vaccination with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. All three cases are currently with coroners to determine the cause of death.
The Ministry of Health and the Board will not be commenting further on any details about this case and ask that the whānau’s privacy is respected during this difficult time.