First death linked to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been reported in New Zealand, according to BBC. A report by independent vaccine safety monitoring board said the cause of the woman’s death was “probably” due to myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle.

The report stated that the woman also had other medical issues that could have “influenced the outcome following vaccination” and official cause of death is not known.

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According to European regulators, myocarditis is a “very rare” side effect and people should no worry as vaccine’s benefits outweigh the risks.

However, the COVID-19 Vaccine Independent Safety Monitoring Board said the myocarditis was “probably due to vaccination”.

The statement of the board read that this was the first case in New Zealand where a death in the days following vaccination has been linked to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Though the Centre has reports of deaths in someone recently vaccinated, none are considered related to vaccination.

The woman’s death is being investigated further and no other details, including the woman’s age, have been revealed by the board.

According to EMA, the UK has reports myocarditis in 195 people who have received the Pfizer vaccine, at a rate of around five cases per million. Most of those cases have led to mild symptoms.

The medical body has urged people to get vaccinated as it will help them to fight COVID-19.

New Zealand, which was initially praised for its handling of the virus, has seen a slow roll-out of vaccines and over 500 new COVID cases.

The recent surge has been attributed to the Delta variant and large parts of the country are under lockdown.

New Zealand PM had last week announced to lift the restrictions on Tuesday, barring the country’s biggest city Auckland.