AT LEAST 18 individuals in Cebu who have experienced serious adverse reactions following vaccination against the coronavirus disease have died, but the Visayas Covid-19 Vaccination Operations Center (VVOC) clarified that the deaths had no direct link, or causality to the vaccine.
The 18 deaths were among the 31 mortalities logged on VigiFlow, the country’s database of adverse reactions, as of September 14, 2021.
Data from VigiFlow showed that 99 serious adverse events following immunization (AEFI) were logged as of September 14. Of these 99 cases, 49 have already been evaluated by a panel of specialists in the Regional AEFI Committee and it was found out that 18 were declared “recovered,” while 31 have died.
Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, VVOC spokesperson, told SunStar Cebu that 18 of the 31 AEFI deaths were from Cebu, but she clarified that all the 31 mortalities had no direct link to the Covid-19 vaccine.
"It's difficult to say the vaccine played a contributory role in these deaths," she said.
"As per review and analysis of medical record, timeline of events, there are other circumstances present other than the vaccination," she added.
A serious AEFI case is logged when a vaccinated individual requires a check-up in a healthcare facility due to a life threatening condition that is brought about by the vaccine, like anaphylactic reactions or allergies.
Loreche earlier said that based on their review of the first batch of AEFI cases, the patients died not because of the vaccine, but because they had co-existing morbidities.
She said the causes of deaths of those who experienced severe AEFI include cardiac arrest due to hypertensive heart disease, respiratory arrest, sudden cardiac death, and myocardial infarction or heart attack.
To prevent adverse reactions, Loreche advised persons with comorbidities to “have a good night's rest. Be forward with your medical condition during screening and don't forget your maintenance medicines."
"During and after vaccination, be attuned to your body and if you feel something that's out of the ordinary, even as minor as headache or fever, report to the vaccination team or to VigiFlow and if warning signals like chest pain or blood pressure that is erratic, seek immediate consultation," she added.
She also emphasized that all Covid-19 vaccine brands are good for persons with comorbidities. (WBS)