By Foday Moriba Conteh
According to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in a Press Release issued on the 24th June 2021 and titled: Suspected COVID-19 Vaccine Related Death under Investigation, it was stated that the Ministry has received information of the sudden death of a 50-year-old female healthcare worker attached to PCM Hospital on the Tuesday June 22, 2021.
The female healthcare worker (name withheld to maintain confidentiality), the Ministry said, had received her first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on Monday 21 June.
The Ministry of Health and Sanitation said it takes any potential side effect of the vaccine seriously and is conducting, in collaboration with NaCOVERC, further investigations to determine whether that incident is related to the administered COVID-19 vaccine and will inform the public as further information becomes available,
It was mentioned that the deceased was a known chronic asthmatic on medication who had been experiencing asthmatic attacks especially on exposure cold weather which were usually relieved by medication at home (Inhalers).
According to the Ministry on the 21st June, 2021 the healthcare worker felt normal and without any coercion or persuasion voluntarily received her first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at exactly 8:57 am and worked throughout the day with no reported concerns.
It continued that on the 22nd June, 2021the healthcare worker went through her normal work routine without reporting any health-related concerns.
In the evening she returned home and ate dinner and during dinner, at about 5:30 PM, she reported chest heaviness, pain and cough and as usual, she was given her inhaler but the condition worsened.
The family then decided to take her to hospital but she died at 6:30 PM before reaching the hospital. The Ministry of Health and Sanitation stated how it has systematically investigated all incidents suspected to relate to the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Based on what the Ministry said available data shows that the vaccines are safe and effective further disclosing that since the introduction of the vaccine in Sierra Leone in March 15, over 105,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered across the country, with no incident associated with its administration.
The Ministry said it is encouraging the public to report any potential serious side-effect by calling 09 91 17 117 or 117 and in case of serious sickness or emergency to, as always, seek medical assistance immediately.
