NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – An investigation is underway after an elderly man died shortly after receiving a COVID vaccine at the Javits Center.
State health officials say a man in his seventies – whose name has not been released – collapsed 25 minutes after receiving the shot and later died in hospital Sunday morning, CBS2’s Aundrea Cline-Thomas reported.
In a statement, the public health commissioner said, during the 15-minute observation period after he received the vaccine, “… he showed no side effects or any distress.”
COVID VACCINE
“Until we know more about a detailed medical history of this patient, or one or two others who have experienced something similar, we will not really know what caused it,” said Dr. Max Gomez from CBS2.
State health officials don’t believe the man had an allergic reaction – a rare, but possible side effect. According to the CDC, 10 allergic reactions and no deaths were reported from nearly 4.1 million doses of the Moderna vaccine administered from December 21 to January 10.
‘It has been extremely safe until now. I mean, we’ve vaccinated many millions of people around the world with really very few adverse side effects, compared to the possibility of getting COVID, ”said Gomez.
CORONA PANDEMIA
That’s why the medical community stands behind the safety of the vaccine. Nearly 1 million people in New York City have been vaccinated so far.
The medical examiner is investigating how this man died, but it is too early to link the vaccine to the death of the patient.
COVID vaccination sites, including the Javits Center, will remain open throughout the city. Medical professionals say the possibility of getting COVID is still a much bigger threat.