Experts have concluded that of the 108 deaths involving people who received vaccination within 14 days before they died, 72 had no causal relationship with COVID-19 jabs.

As of May 31, about 17.08 million vaccine doses were administered to the public. A total of 7,571 adverse events were reported, including 108 deaths which accounted for 0.0006% of the total jabs given.

Having evaluated serious adverse events relating to COVID-19 jabs at a meeting today, the Expert Committee on Clinical Events Assessment Following COVID-19 Immunisation considered that a causal relationship with vaccination could not be established with one of the 108 cases. They also preliminarily considered that 11 cases were not associated with vaccination, while 24 cases are pending further information for assessment.

The expert committee is of the view that there is no unusual pattern identified so far. It will closely monitor the situation and collect data for assessment.

According to the Hospital Authority, from May 2 to 29, the overall ratio of death cases was 46.8 cases for every 100,000 people, whereas the average ratio of death cases for the same period in 2018 to 2020 was 43.9 cases for every 100,000 people. Based on the above figures, there is no evidence that vaccination increases the risk of death for recipients.

The expert committee’s assessment results will be included in the updated safety monitoring report to be published online on June 10.