THE Department of Health (DOH) 7 is probing the death of a utility worker in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center who had received the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.
DOH 7 spokesperson Dr. Mary Jean Loreche said based on their review of Sydney Rose Panimdim’s medical records, she had a history of asthma attacks.
After Panimdim was inoculated with the first dose, Loreche said the Regional Vaccination Operations Center (RVOC) did not receive reports of adverse effects from Panimdim.
Panimdim’s family however, claims that she experienced rashes and difficulty of breathing.
Based on Panimdim’s death certificate, she succumbed to status asthmaticus or acute severe asthma, the kind that does not improve with traditional treatments like inhaled bronchodilators.
Loreche said to find out if the cause of death was due to the vaccine, an autopsy would be the final arbiter.
However, the family of Panimdim decided not to have the body autopsied.
Loreche is encouraging those who have been inoculated not to disregard any adverse effects that they experience within 24 hours to 28 days.
They have to report these effects to DOH 7 or to RVOC through their hotline numbers so that they can give them advice on the next step to take.
Loreche said the pre-screening is vital so they can assess if a person is fit to get vaccinated.
She medical history should be disclosed during the pre-screening as some people might have absolute contraindications.
This means that they may not be qualified for the vaccine due to possible allergic reactions to it.
Loreche said for individuals who have “relative contraindication,” which means they have a chronic disease such as diabetes, but during the vaccination, their blood sugar level is stable, they can be vaccinated.
Meanwhile, for those who have gotten their first dose of AstraZeneca, Loreche said they still have to wait for advice as the DOH and the Food and Drug Administration have suspended the use of AstraZeneca due to rare blood clot concerns. (KFD)