SA records single death due to Covid-19 vaccine
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) says a single death has been recorded as a result of a Covid-19 vaccination.
The person died after being jabbed with a Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Sahpra CEO Boitumelo Semete says the patient in question was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome.
“It is with very sad hearts today that we report to you that Sahpra has been informed of a fatal case called the Guillain-Barré syndrome. This is a case that was noted following vaccination with a Covid-19 Jansen vaccine. In this assessment there is a conclusion that this case of GBS was associated with the event that this patient had received with the Covid-19 Jansen vaccine.”
South Africa has so far recorded 6200 adverse events from the J&J and Pfizer vaccines.
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Health Minister Joe Phaahla says adverse events are normal and tend to present with mild symptoms.
“Most adverse events following immunisation are mild and resolved within a few days and reported within a well established system in collaboration with Sahpra.”
University of Cape Town professor Marc Blockman says the Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare disease which affects the immune system.
"It affects 100 000 people globally and annually. It is characterised generally by the progressive and ascending weakness. It starts in the limbs and ascends up the body. It also has the potential to affect the respiratory system which may mean that the patient may require a ventilation point. It may also affect the brain as well."
