Vaccination case probed

March 6, 2021

Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Ronald Lam:
For the (patient) that succumbed to the disease reported today, we know that (she) had chronic diseases. 

However, whether or not the cause of death is related to the use of the vaccine or whether or not it has a direct or indirect correlation, we need to refer the case with full clinical details to the Expert Committee on Clinical Events Assessment Following COVID-19 Immunisation for a very thorough deliberation and try to see if there is any causality. 

We have already referred the case to the Coroner and with the consent of the family members, we would send (her) for the autopsy as well to ascertain the cause of death. 

Upon receipt of our referral, I think the expert committee will try to convene a meeting as soon as possible to look at the case to ascertain if there is any cause. 

However, I would like to reiterate that both the joint scientific committee and the expert committee set up under (Hong Kong Laws) Cap 599K have seen to it that the use of vaccines in these priority groups, including those elderly, has benefits that far outweigh the risks. So we, at this stage - unless there are other conclusions drawn up by the expert committee - would continue the vaccination programme.

(To watch the full press briefing with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Department of Health said it received a report from the Hospital Authority today regarding a suspected serious adverse event following COVID-19 vaccination.

The case involved a 55-year-old woman with chronic diseases who was admitted to Caritas Medical Centre due to an acute stroke on March 5. She was later transferred to Kwong Wah Hospital for further treatment. She had a cardiac arrest and passed away early this morning.

According to information provided by the deceased patient's family, she received the COVID-19 vaccination at Kwun Chung Sports Centre Community Vaccination Centre in Jordan on March 2.

The department said it immediately contacted the authority to obtain more information for investigation and evaluation.

It will pass the case to the Expert Committee on Clinical Events Assessment Following COVID-19 Immunisation for causality assessment as soon as possble, and the assessment result will be released.

At a press briefing this afternoon, Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Ronald Lam reiterated that the COVID-19 vaccination programme will continue despite the case referral to the expert committee.

“Whether or not the cause of death is related to the use of the vaccine or whether or not it has a direct or indirect correlation, we need to refer the case with full clinical details to the Expert Committee on Clinical Events Assessment Following COVID-19 Immunisation for a very thorough deliberation and try to see if there is any causality.

“We have already referred the case to the Coroner and with the consent of the family members, we would send her for the autopsy as well to ascertain the cause of death.

“Upon receipt of our referral, I think the expert committee will try to convene a meeting as soon as possible to look at the case to ascertain if there is any cause.

“However, I would like to reiterate that both the joint scientific committee and the expert committee set up under Hong Kong Laws Cap 599K have seen to it that the use of vaccines in these priority groups, including those elderly, has benefits that far outweigh the risks. So we, at this stage - unless there are other conclusions drawn up by the expert committee - would continue the vaccination programme.”