Man dies 9 days after receiving covid vaccine; 4th case in Karnataka

Bengaluru, Feb 20: A 56-year-old man from Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka, died yesterday, nine days after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine.

The deceased, according to the Covid bulletin a ‘waterman’, had first developed symptoms on the afternoon of February 11, a day after he received the Covishield jab. 

He was shifted to Aster CMI Hospital and thereafter to Jayadeva Hospital. He was, ‘admitted, treated, recovered and discharged from the hospital on February 18, according to the bulletin.

On Friday afternoon, however, he developed chest pain again and while being shifted to the hospital, he died. Dr Rajani Nageshrao, Deputy Director, Immunisation, Department of Health and Family Welfare, said, “The case will be investigated by Chikkaballapur district AEFI Committee on Monday.”

Dr C N Manjunath, Director, Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, said: “We have to look at the case sheets to understand the treating doctor’s provisional diagnosis. But a vaccine given nine days ago couldn’t have given him a heart attack today.”

This is the fourth death of a vaccinated individual in Karnataka. The previous three deaths of the inoculated were from Ballari, Shivamogga and Belagavi. While the first two were male health workers, the third was a female ASHA worker.

Meanwhile, two serious AEFIs (adverse events following immunisation) were reported in the state - one each in Raichur and Mysuru.

A 45-year-old anganwadi worker from Raichur vaccinated on January 20 developed pain in bilateral lower limbs a week later. On February 15, she developed fever, chills, abdominal pain and vomiting. Two days later, she was shifted to NIMHANS for further management. 

A 40-year-old ‘waterman’ from Mysuru was vaccinated on Feb 12. The same day, he developed muscle twitching of the right lower limb which became generalised. On February 15, he got shifted to KR Hospital, thereafter to JSS Hospital on February 16 for further management.
Severe AEFI.

A 26-year-old female swab collector from Bengaluru was vaccinated on February 17. Within 30 minutes, she developed vomiting, giddiness, breathing difficulty, and lost consciousness for ten minutes. She was shifted to ESI Hospital, Rajajinagar. She has been discharged and is stable.