A 72-year-old woman from regional South Australia has died from a rare blood clotting syndrome linked to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, the state’s health officials confirmed today.
The woman was vaccinated on June 24, admitted to hospital on July 5, and passed away overnight, SA Health has announced.
SA’s Deputy Chief Public Health Officer, Emily Kirkpatrick confirmed the woman had received the AstraZeneca vaccine.
“She did receive an AstraZeneca vaccine, and with her particular vaccine it was administered in that community, she then unfortunately developed symptoms and was transferred to the Royal Adelaide Hospital,” she said today.
“She was in the Royal Adelaide Hospital for a number of days and then has unfortunately passed away yesterday evening.
Dr Kirkpatrick said the woman had received a diagnosis of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) last week.
“It is important that if you have had the AstraZeneca vaccine, regardless of your age, if you develop any of these symptoms please go and seek help from your GP,” she said.
“If you’re unable to see your GP and you have symptoms then please go to the emergency department.”
She said symptoms included headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, and other flu-like symptoms that begin around day four or five after receiving the vaccine.
“This has been our first case here in South Australia of a mortality related to that AstraZeneca vaccine,” Dr Kirkpatrick said.
“If you are eligible for the COVID vaccine, please go and see your GP or book in for one at our vaccine hubs. It is so important to get that COVID-19 vaccine.”Â
Her death has been reported to the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the South Australian coroner for further investigation.
