DH received one report of serious adverse event relating to COVID-19 vaccination
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According to the information provided by the HA, the case involved a 59-year-old man. He was found unconscious in Sai Kung by hikers today and was sent to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital by the Government Flying Service. He did not respond to resuscitation and passed away. According to information, he received a dose of Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccination at Choi Hung Road Badminton Centre Community Vaccination Centre seven days ago (March 18) and there was no record that the man complained of feeling unwell during observation at the Vaccination Centre.
The DH has immediately contacted the HA upon the notification to obtain further information on the incident for conducting investigation and assessment. According to the established mechanism, the DH will provide the case to the Expert Committee on Clinical Events Assessment Following COVID-19 Immunisation for conducting causality assessment.
According to the World Health Organization, Adverse Events Following Immunisation refers to any untoward medical occurrence which follows immunisation and which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the usage of the vaccine. As a whole population, people with acute medical conditions with various severities are admitted to hospitals every day. With the commencement of the vaccination programme, it is anticipated that more patients with acute medical conditions will have received vaccines and reports of such cases might increase with the increasing vaccination uptakes. It is important for the surveillance system in place to monitor these adverse events following COVID-19 vaccinations and to conduct causality assessments based on a scientific and objective approach to ensure that any untoward outcome would not go unnoticed. People with chronic illness should seek medical attention if they feel unwell. They should also adhere to their treatment as prescribed by their doctors.
Ends/Thursday, March 25, 2021
Issued at HKT 19:54
Issued at HKT 19:54
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