In New Zealand, a woman died after receiving a corona vaccination. Authorities suspect a connection in this case.
Wellington / Frankfurt – In New Zealand, a woman died shortly after being vaccinated with the Biontech / Pfizer corona vaccine. According to an independent body responsible for monitoring the safety of the vaccine, the woman’s death was due to myocarditis, i.e. inflammation of the heart muscle. They are known to be a rare side effect of mRNA vaccines.
As the authorities further announced, the case has been passed on to forensic medicine. The official cause of death has not yet been conclusively clarified, but it is “likely that the myocarditis is due to the vaccination”. At the same time, however, other medical problems occurred that could have influenced the risk after the vaccination.
New Zealand: woman dies after corona vaccination
“This is the first case in New Zealand where a death in the days after vaccination has been linked to the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine,” said the statement posted on the Ministri of Health website. Although there have already been reports of deaths after the vaccination, these have not yet been linked to the vaccine. Authorities point out that the benefits of vaccination continue to outweigh the risk.
The authorities expressed their deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and thanked them for their assistance with the investigation. Further details were not given, according to information from the New Zealand Herald, the woman is said to have died in July.
Heart muscle inflammation after corona infection: no clear picture yet
The New Zealand Minister of Health also commented on the death, as reported by n-tv.de. By going public, the aim was to sensitize those involved to this possible complication. “If someone shows up with chest pain or shortness of breath or palpitations and has recently been vaccinated,” those vaccinated and healthcare professionals should be aware that this is what to watch.
There have already been some reports of myocarditis after vaccination with mRNA vaccines from several countries. First in Israel, then also in the USA. Cases are also known in Germany. Young men between the ages of 16 and 30 were particularly affected. It has not yet been clear whether the vaccination against Corona is the cause.
Institute informs about myocarditis as side effects after corona vaccination
According to the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI), many heart muscle inflammations run without symptoms or with unspecific symptoms. However, myocarditis can also trigger life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Virus infections are one of the possible triggers.
In a safety report from the PEI, in addition to myocarditis, thromboses and Guillain-Barré syndrome are mentioned as possible side effects of the corona vaccination. The institute will “intensively monitor, continuously evaluate and report” messages from the spontaneous recording system, it says. (svw with dpa)
