First death linked to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was reported in New Zealand on Monday.

The health ministry issued the information after an independent COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring board reviewed the death of a woman followingreceipt of the vaccine. The board considered that the death occurred due to myocarditis, a rare side effect of the Pfizer vaccine, read the statement.  However, the health ministry mentioned that the case has been referred to the coroner and the cause of death is not yet known. The independent board found that there were other medical issues as well which may have affected the outcome after receiving the vaccine.

It was emphasized that the benefits of vaccination with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine still outweigh the risk of COVID-19 infection as well as vaccine side effects, including myocarditis… (Reuters, August 30, 2021)