The Ministry of Health (MoH) has reported a third death linked to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Independent Safety Monitoring Board alerted the MoH of the death.
"This is a tragic circumstance, and the Board expresses their sympathy to the individual's whānau and friends."
In a statement, the MoH said the board reviewed the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring 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 MoH said the board met in March 2022 to consider all the information available which revealed that the individual had myocarditis at the time of death.
"In the week 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."
The Ministry said all three deaths linked to the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine are with the Coroner who will 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."
