Woman dies after Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination

New Zealand has recorded its first COVID-19 vaccine fatality following the death of a woman after receiving the Comirnaty Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination.

The ministry said in a statement that “the COVID-19 Vaccine Independent Safety Monitoring Board (CV-ISMB) has advised the Ministry of Health to ensure that healthcare professionals and consumers remain vigilant.

“They should be aware of the signs of myocarditis and pericarditis.’’

However, it was presumed that the woman died from myocarditis, which is a rare side effect of the Pfizer vaccine.

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The CV-ISMB, however, noted that “there were other medical issues occurring at the same time which may have influenced the outcome following vaccination.”

The case has been referred to the corona, so “the cause of death has not yet been determined,” the statement read.

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said as quoted by RNZ that “the risk of myocarditis after the vaccine is much lower than the risk of myocarditis after being infected with COVID-19.’’

The director reassured citizens that the Pfizer vaccine’s safety profile is “very very good.”

New Zealand has vaccinated 21.4 percent of its population. The island nation has been using the Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca shots.