LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has been made aware that the COVID-19 vaccine has been listed as one of several causes of death for an individual in the state.
The individual, a man in his late forties with a number of additional illnesses and a resident for long-term care, died between 1 and 2 weeks after receiving his first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
The death occurred on January 17 and the man received the vaccine the first week of January.
The death occurred under VAERS, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, a national vaccine safety monitoring program run by CDC and the FDA. Every time a death or any adverse event occurs after vaccination, the case must be reported to VAERS. This process enables the CDC and FDA to closely monitor adverse events and evaluate them for ongoing safety evaluations. As is the standard protocol for any deaths reported in VAERS, it will be fully reviewed.
Dr. Gary Anthone, chief medical officer of Nebraska, issued the following statement:
‘Residents of long-term care institutions have been given a high priority in the state to receive vaccinations, due to higher mortality rates in this medically debilitated population. We trust in the safety of the vaccine and understand that there may be questions about such a situation. Usually, COVID-19 deaths by vaccines can be attributed to anaphylaxis and can occur within a relatively short period of time after the vaccine has been administered. Therefore, it is monitored. Although I cannot speculate on this matter, it is more likely due to other underlying factors when individuals die days or weeks after the vaccine is administered. It is very important for high risk individuals to consult their medical provider about the best way to get vaccinated. ”
According to DHHS, vaccination is the best line of defense against the COVID-19 pandemic.
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