A Florida doctor has died a few weeks after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, although it is not yet clear if his death Monday is related to the shot he received on Dec. 18.
Dr. Gregory Michael, 56, an OB-GYN at Miami Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, died after bleeding, apparently due to a lack of platelets.
Miami medical investigators are investigating his death, the Florida Department of Health said in a statement.
“The CDC and the FDA are responsible for reviewing the COVID-19 vaccine safety data and presenting the information for federal vaccine recommendations,” Jason Mahon, communications director, said in an email. “The state will continue to provide all available information to the CDC while they conduct this investigation.”
In a Facebook post, Michael’s wife, Heidi Neckelmann, said he sought emergency care three days after the shot because he had spots on his skin that indicated internal bleeding.
The condition, according to her, led to his stroke, called thrombocytopenia, due to a lower than normal platelet count, which helps the blood clot.
In an extremely rare case, vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella has been linked to thrombocytopenia in young children. The condition can also be caused by cancer, anemia, heavy drinking, viruses, genetic conditions, toxic chemicals and medicines such as diuretics and the rarely used antibiotics chloramphenicol.
Pfizer, which along with its partner BioNTech made the vaccine the man received, said in a statement he was aware of the death.
“We are actively investigating this matter, but at the moment we do not believe there is a direct link with the vaccine,” the statement said.
There is no indication from major clinical trials or from people who have received the vaccine since the government approved the use last month that it could be linked to thrombocytopenia.
COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers are required by the government to monitor health problems that occur near the time of vaccination and to investigate whether they are likely to be related to a shot.
‘It is important to note that serious adverse events, including non-vaccine-related deaths, will unfortunately occur at a similar rate as in the general population,’ according to the statement, which ends by saying: ‘ Our immediate thoughts are with the grieving family. ‘
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement late Wednesday that they and other federal agencies regularly review information on vaccine safety, as well as an independent committee of vaccine experts.
“It has been a difficult year as each of us is grappling with a global pandemic,” the statement said.
Five million people have already been vaccinated against COVID-19. “The use of COVID-19 vaccines is the next step in our efforts to protect Americans and reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement said.
In her Facebook post, Neckelmann describes Michael as the ‘love of her life’ and blames the vaccine’s death.
“He was a very healthy 56-year-old, loved by everyone in the community, gave birth to hundreds of healthy babies and worked tirelessly through the pandemic,” she said in the report, which received more than 1,400 comments. .
She said a team of doctors from across the country tried for two weeks to increase his platelet count. He was conscious until he had a hemorrhagic stroke “which took his life in a few minutes,” she wrote.
Michael was an advocate for vaccine, his wife said, before doubting its safety.
“I believe that people should be aware that side effects can happen, that it is not good for everyone and in this case a beautiful life, a perfect family, destroyed and affected so many people in the community,” he said. she wrote. “Do not let his death be in vain, please save more lives by making this information news.”
According to his professional website, Michael was a Miami resident who practiced on Mount Sinai for 12 years.
After university he lived in Japan for a few years and traveled a lot and learned the language. He also spoke Spanish fluently.
Michael went to medical school at St. George’s University in Grenada and completed his OB-GYN residency at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey.
He and his wife have one daughter, and he was an avid tournament and a big fisherman, as well as a lifeguard.
Elizabeth Weise contributed to this report.
Contact Karen Weintraub at [email protected]
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This article originally appeared in the US today: the death of a doctor in Florida after the COVID-19 vaccine being investigated