Woman’s blood clotting death in NSW ‘likely’ linked to her AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

A health worker prepares a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Source: AAP

The death of a woman in NSW who developed blood clots is “likely” linked to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, Australia’s medical regulator has announced.

The revelation came in a statement late on Friday night from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

“The TGA’s Vaccine Safety Investigation Group (VSIG) met late today  and concluded that a recently reported case of thrombosis (blood clots in the arteries and veins) with thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) is likely to be linked to vaccination,” the statement said.

The woman, 48, was vaccinated with the AstraZeneca shot on 8 April and admitted to hospital four days later where she died.

This is the third report of a case of the rare blood clotting disorder linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine in Australia and the first death.

Last week, adults in Australians under the age of 50 were warned off receiving the AstraZeneca shot, with Pfizer becoming the preferred vaccine for that demographic.

Earlier this week, TGA chief John Skerritt said that blood clotting associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine was so rare, “your chances of winning the lotto are much higher”.

The TGA met late on Friday afternoon to investigate the link between the inoculation and her death and now says the blood clots in the arteries and veins and low platelet count Ms Norris presented with does indicate a correlation.

The TGA says Ms Norris received her vaccination on the same day that the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and the federal government announced that the Pfizer vaccine would be the preferred vaccine for patients under 50.

SBS, ABC