New Zealand Reports 1st Death Case Linked to Pfizer Vaccine

New Zealand reported the first recorded death linked to the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, the authorities said on Monday.

The health ministry announced the news following a review by an independent Covid-19 vaccine safety monitoring board of the death of a woman after receiving the vaccine.

Moreover, the board considered that the woman’s death was due to myocarditis, which is known to be a rare side effect of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, the statement said.

Notably, myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle that can limit the organ's ability to pump blood and can cause changes in heartbeat rhythms.

"This is the first case in New Zealand where a death in the days following vaccination has been linked to the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine," the health ministry said.

On the other hand, the Pfizer media team in New Zealand did not immediately reply to an emailed request for comment.

The health ministry noted that the case had been referred to the coroner, adding that the cause of death had not yet been determined.

However, the independent board did consider that the myocarditis was probably because of the vaccination.