Inquiry Finds Woman Who Died After Receiving COVID Vaccine Was Not Given Proper Care
The Health and Disability Commissioner in New Zealand has determined that a woman, who passed away from a thromboembolism, did not receive appropriate care from her GP.
An investigation by the Health and Disability Commissioner in New Zealand found that a woman, who had a rare genetic disorder, was found deceased in her bed four days after receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, and her GP did not provide the necessary care to her.
New Zealand’s Health and Disability Commissioner has instructed the doctor to issue a letter of apology to the family of the patient.
Even though the specific genetic disorder was not disclosed, the report mentioned that it could be complicated by cardiovascular issues.
The woman’s family noted a sudden change in her condition after the vaccination, with her hands feeling very cold and a difference in her skin tone. Following the advice of the vaccination site coordinator, they went to the urgent care clinic at a local public hospital.
The doctor’s records stated that the patient, identified as “Ms. A” in the report, felt heavy and weak, and her blood pressure and pulse were considered abnormal for her.
According to the clinical notes, there was a “? reaction to COVID vaccine” at that time.
Pre-Existing Conditions a Risk Factor: Coroner
Despite recording an abnormal ECG, the locum GP discharged her without further investigation.
The patient’s mother observed that her daughter remained unable to move her left arm and had persistent cold hands. Tragically, four days later, she discovered her daughter unresponsive in bed.
A post-mortem revealed no sign of an acute reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine and indicated that due to her existing health conditions, there was a risk of sudden death at any time.
These pre-existing conditions included severe coronary artery disease, the genetic disorder, hypertensive heart disease, and mitral valve disease.
The Coroner determined that the cause of death was a natural thromboembolism in the left lung.
Though the Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner found that the standard of care from the doctor was inadequate, it was not specified if the death could have been prevented.
The focus of the report was on evaluating the care given to the woman during the events leading up to her death, not on determining the exact cause of death.
The GP was found to have violated the patient’s consumer rights by not discussing the abnormal ECG results with a specialist or comparing them to previous ECGs.
The medical center’s staff attempted to report the adverse event to the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring, but technical issues delayed the completion of the report for four days.