MUMBAI: An expert panel has reviewed four post-vaccination deaths in the city and concluded that all were “coincidental” and not be linked to the vaccines.
Of the four dead, two were in their 60s. The other two were in their mid-50s, one of them a healthcare worker and one a policeman. Three of them had multiple co-morbidities.
Called the adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) committee, the panel comprises 12-14 specialists from multiple branches. The committee recently met to discuss the death of the four people, some of whom had taken Covishield and some Covaxin.
The first person to have died post-vaccination was the healthcare worker, who had a history of liver cirrhosis along with diabetes and hypertension. He had been hospitalised for days for his liver condition a month before vaccination. “The committee attributed the death to his many underlying health problems,” an official said.
The second case reviewed was of a 65-year-old woman from Bandra who was found dead a day after vaccination. The AEFI committee found she had a brain aneurysm,which occurs when a weak spot in the brain’s arterial wall bulges and ruptures. It can cause death if not treated immediately.
The third case was of 69-year-old retired businessman from Goregaon who collapsed on the chair within seconds of being administered the vaccine on March 8. A doctor said he had a history of heart ailments and it was most likely linked to that.
The fourth case was of ACP Ramesh Nangre, who died two days after vaccination. Nangre’s death was attributed to a heart attack and not linked to the inoculation.
Dr Sheela Jagtap, immunisation in-charge, said the deaths were “coincidental” and people should not worry about coming forth for vaccination.