Deaths associated with newly launched SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (Comirnaty®)

Since 27th December 2020, a mRNA vaccine from BioNTech / Pfizer (Comirnaty (R)) has been used across Germany. As of 12th March 2021, 286 fatalities of vaccinated German individuals were registered at the PaulEhrlich-Institute with time intervals after vaccination between one hour to 40 days. From our catchment area in northern Germany, we have so far become aware of 22 deaths in connection with vaccination in a 5 week period (range: 0-28 days after vaccination). Three death cases after vaccination with Comirnaty (R), which were autopsied at the Institute of Legal Medicine Hamburg, are presented in more detail. All three deceased had severe cardiovascular diseases, among other comorbidities, and died in the context of these pre-existing conditions, while one case developed a COVID-19 pneumonia as cause of death. Taking into account the results of the postmortem examination a causal relation between the vaccination and the death was not established in any case. If there are indications of an allergic reaction, histological and postmortem laboratory examinations should be performed subsequent to the autopsy (tryptase, total IgE, CRP, interleukin-6, complement activity C3/C5).

Automated summary

Since December 27, 2020, Germany has been using the mRNA vaccine from BioNTech/Pfizer. As of March 12, 2021, 286 deaths of vaccinated individuals have been registered, but no causal relationship between vaccination and death has been established.