HOSPITALISED A DAY AFTER BOOSTER JAB
Mdm Vargas received Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty booster shot on Dec 9, 2021. During the 42 minutes of observation at the clinic, she did not exhibit any adverse effects.
She grew unwell the next morning and took a taxi to Singapore General Hospital. The woman stated at the hospital that she had no family history of heart disease or congenital heart problems.
She also said she did not have any reaction to the first and second doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Her condition worsened on Dec 12, 2021, and she became unresponsive. Despite receiving appropriate medical care, her condition deteriorated rapidly and she died on Dec 13, 2021.
The coroner ruled that her death was a medical misadventure.
MYOCARDITIS INCIDENTS RARE
To date, more than 17 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Singapore through the National Vaccination Programme.
According to the latest vaccine safety update by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), the incidence of myocarditis remains rare with reporting rates of 0.1 per 100,000 doses (0.0001 per cent) for bivalent vaccines, and 1.1 per 100,000 doses (0.0011 per cent) for the primary vaccination series of the monovalent vaccines.
“Available data suggests that the majority of cases of myocarditis following vaccination are generally mild and respond to treatment,” said MOH.
“COVID-19 infection is also known to be associated with myocarditis, several times higher than the incidence after vaccination.”
MOH said that since September 2021, as a precautionary measure, vaccinated people are advised to avoid strenuous physical activity or exercise for two weeks after vaccination to mitigate the potential risk of myocarditis.
People with chest discomfort, abnormal heartbeats or any other symptoms that arise after vaccination, should seek medical attention promptly.
“This will enable early diagnosis and appropriate medical management of any rare severe adverse events that may occur after vaccination,” said MOH.
“The Ministry of Health, the Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination and HSA will continue to monitor vaccine-related serious adverse events closely.”