Health worker who got vaccinated vs. COVID-19 dies but DOH, FDA say death not caused by jab

An individual who received a coronavirus vaccine died on March 15 but the death was not caused by the jab, health and regulatory officials said Wednesday.

“On March 15, 2020, a death was reported in an individual who had received the COVID-19 vaccine and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19,” the Department of Health (DOH) and Food and Drug Administration said in a statement.

National and regional committees tasked to monitor adverse effects following immunization “concluded that the cause of the death was caused by COVID-19 itself, not by the COVID-19 vaccine.”

“COVID-19 vaccines cannot cause COVID-19,” the agencies said.

The DOH said the fatality was a health worker but declined to specify further details for privacy reasons.

Authorities called on the public to continue following health protocols like wearing face masks and practicing social distancing even amid the rollout of vaccines.

Health workers were also urged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 amid the fresh surge in cases.

“Millions of people around the world have received this vaccine, and evidence continues to show that the benefit of vaccination outweighs the risk of severe disease and death caused by COVID-19,” the agencies said.

A total of 240,297 individuals have gotten their first dose as of Tuesday. —Julia Mari Ornedo/KBK, GMA News