Authorities in New Zealand this week linked the death of a 26-year-old man to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, saying the individual suffered from myocarditis, a type of inflammation of the heart muscle, after taking the first dose. “With the current available information, the board has considered that the myocarditis was probably due to vaccination in this individual,” a COVID-19 Vaccine Independent Safety Monitoring Board said in a statement, adding it “extends its deepest sympathies to the family, whānau, and friends of the people involved.” Whānau is a Maori language word for extended family. The death is New Zealand’s second that has been linked to the Pfizer shot. Health officials in August said a woman died after taking two doses of the mRNA vaccine. The man, who was not identified, died within two weeks of taking his first dose. He had not sought any medical treatment or advice for his symptoms, said officials. …