COVID-19 vaccine: Myocarditis and pericarditis study
A study was carried out to find out if people who had myocarditis or pericarditis following COVID-19 Pfizer vaccination had long-term health problems.
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About the study
The data collection phase of the study is now complete. 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, Health New Zealand, 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 took part
Participants were:
- aged 12 or over
- diagnosed with myocarditis and/or pericarditis following any dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (up to and including 28 February 2022)
- reported to the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring (CARM).
Submit a report to CARM
Separate to the study, 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 was 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.
In some instances, face-to-face or virtual interviews, were used.
Where permission was provided, surveyers also contacted the healthcare professional who provided treatment to individuals in the study. This was to obtain information about medications prescribed and test results to provide a better understanding of health status following myocarditis and/or pericarditis.
Results of the study
The data collection phase of the study is now complete.
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.
Privacy
Information given to interviewers in the study 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