COVID-19 vaccine: Myocarditis and pericarditis study
Anyone over 12, with a clinical diagnosis of myocarditis or pericarditis following a Pfizer vaccination, is eligible to participate in a new study.
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About the study
Study enrolment has now closed. Thank you to everyone who participated. We are in the process of analysing the extensive data that was shared with us. Information on where you can read the results will be provided here when available.
International data suggests that for most people who develop myocarditis and/or pericarditis, their symptoms stop with appropriate management. However, there is limited data on the long-term health outcomes of individuals who experience these side effects.
This study is a collaborative effort across the Ministry of Health, Medsafe, and Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring (CARM) to help us to better understand how the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is working in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Who can take part
Participants must:
- be aged 12 or over
- have been diagnosed with myocarditis and/or pericarditis following any dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (up to and including 28 February 2022)
- have had a report submitted to the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring (CARM).
Recruitment has now concluded. We are no longer recruiting participants to this study.
Submit a report to CARM
Anyone who experienced myocarditis or pericarditis after their COVID-19 vaccine and has not yet reported this can submit a CARM report at any time. You can also discuss this with your health care provider, or call the COVID Healthline 0800 358 5453.
What the study involves
The survey will be carried out over the phone by trained nurse interviewers from Reach Aotearoa (formerly CBG Health Research) – a New Zealand company experienced in carrying out health surveys.
Other options, such as face-to-face or virtual interviews, may be available depending on your preference.
During the survey, we will also ask permission to contact the healthcare professional who treated you or the child in your care. This is so we can ask for information about medications prescribed and test results so we can get a better understanding of your/their health following myocarditis and/or pericarditis.
Results of the study
Results are expected to be published online by early 2023. Information on where you can read the results will be provided here when available.
Privacy
Information given to the interviewer is protected by the Privacy Act 2020. Information is grouped and an individual's information cannot be traced and will always remain confidential.
In the future, health researchers may want to contact participants about follow-up research on health, or health services, relating to myocarditis and pericarditis. We will only invite people to take part in follow-up research if they consent for this at the end of the interview. People invited to take part in any future studies can refuse if they do not want to take part.
More information
For more information about the study, email C19myostudy@health.govt.nz or phone 04 819 6800.
Trial registration – The Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry