NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) An investigation is underway after an elderly man died shortly after receiving a COVID vaccine at the Javits Center.
State health officials say a man in his 70s – whose name was not released – collapsed 25 minutes after receiving the shot and died later Sunday morning in hospital, CBS2’s Aundrea Cline-Thomas reported.
In a statement, the state health commissioner said during the 15-minute observation period after receiving the vaccine, “… he showed no adverse reactions or any distress.”
COVIDENT FABRIC
“Until we know more about the detailed medical history of this patient, or one or two others who caused something similar to happen, we will not really know what caused it,” said Dr. Max Gomez, CBS2, said.
State health officials do not believe the man had an allergic reaction – a rare but possible side effect. According to the CDC, 10 allergic reactions, and no deaths, were reported from nearly 4.1 million doses of the Moderna vaccine administered from December 21 to January 10.
“It simply came to our notice then. “I mean, we’ve vaccinated many millions of people around the world with very few adverse side effects, compared to the possibility of getting COVID,” Gomez said.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMY
Therefore, the medical community stands by the safety of the vaccine. To date, nearly 1 million people have been vaccinated in New York City.
The medical examiner investigates how this man died, but it is too soon to link the vaccine to the patient’s death.
COVID vaccination sites, including the Javits Center, remain open across the city. Medical professionals believe that the possibility of obtaining COVID still poses a much greater threat.