Myocarditis, a type of heart inflammation, can be fatal in certain instances. An investigation revealed that a young man in New Zealand passed away from heart inflammation triggered by a COVID-19 vaccine. Unfortunately, he was not informed about the possibility of inflammation as a side effect of the vaccine, nor was he warned about symptoms associated with it, such as chest pain. The man received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at a pharmacy in New Zealand and later experienced chest discomfort and heart palpitations. Tragically, he collapsed and died 12 days after receiving the vaccine, with the cause of death determined to be vaccine-induced myocarditis.
Health authorities had known about the potential risk of myocarditis from Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, as it had already claimed a life in New Zealand. Despite this knowledge, the man was not properly informed about the risks before vaccination. Leaflets provided to vaccine recipients did mention the possibility of severe side effects like heart inflammation, and individuals were advised to seek medical attention if they experienced certain symptoms. However, the pharmacy that administered the vaccine failed to fully educate the man about these risks.
The investigation concluded that the man should have been informed about the risk of myocarditis and its symptoms before vaccination. The pharmacy’s practices were deemed inadequate in providing essential information to consumers. While the pharmacist who administered the vaccine was aware of the potential side effects, she did not inform the recipient due to considering it a rare occurrence. The investigation also highlighted deficiencies in guidance from official sources and the pharmacy itself, leading to a lack of awareness about the seriousness of the situation.
The Health and Disability Commissioner acknowledged a breach of the New Zealand Code of Rights in failing to provide the necessary information to the man before vaccination. However, considering the unique circumstances at the time, a more educational approach was deemed appropriate rather than imposing penalties. Ultimately, the tragic incident underscores the importance of ensuring informed consent and proper communication regarding potential risks associated with vaccines.
Providers who are found in breach are usually named.
The commissioner made several recommendations, one of which was for the Ministry of Health to provide clearer guidance on side effects in the future. The pharmacy began warning people about the risk of myocarditis following the death of Mr. A, as detailed in the report.
The pharmacy and vaccinator chose not to disclose their identities and declined to speak to the commissioner. The Ministry of Health declined to comment immediately on the report when contacted by The Epoch Times. Health officials assured Ms. McDowell that they had effectively communicated the risk of myocarditis to vaccination providers. Pfizer has not responded to recent inquiries regarding myocarditis.
Ashleigh Wilson, the fiancee of Mr. Nairn, expressed in a statement to the media that the commissioner’s decision “provides some closure.”
She added, “However, it is disheartening that no one will be held accountable for such an unnecessary death, and Rory will be missed every day for the remainder of our lives.”
