Kansas woman’s obituary claims she died as a result of reaction to COVID-19 vaccine

EFFINGHAM, Kan. (KWCH) – An investigation is ongoing into whether a woman from Atchison County has died from the COVID-19 vaccine.

According to an obituary in the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home, 68-year-old Jeanie M. Evans of Effingham died “unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at Stormont-Vail Hospital from a reaction to the Covid vaccine. “

On Thursday, Eyewitness News contacted the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KHDE) about Evans’ death. The agency has issued the following statement:

KDHE learned this morning of the death of a 68-year-old resident of Atchison County. The resident was vaccinated in Jefferson County, and proper CDC guidelines were followed according to the local health department. During the withdrawal period after the administration of the vaccine, the individual began to have anaphylaxis and medical treatment was offered. The resident was transported to a local hospital where the person later died. Death is fully investigated according to standard protocol. Until the investigation is concluded, it is premature to determine a specific cause of death.

The local health department has entered the death in VAERS, the Vaccine Adverse Reaction Reporting System, a national vaccine safety surveillance program administered by Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Any time a death or adverse reaction occurs after vaccination, the matter must be reported to VAERS. This process allows the CDC and the FDA to monitor side effects that may be related to the vaccination. As the standard protocol is for any death reported in VAERS, it will be fully assessed. The VAERS report will help inform a more thorough investigation that can conclusively identify the individual’s specific cause of death.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to the person’s family. “

Evans’ family suspect the vaccine caused her death as a result of a rare serious allergic reaction. More than 100 million shots have been fired in the US and more than a million in Kansas. The vast majority only report mild side effects, but from the outset, the CDC has warned about allergic reactions in some people.

“This serious immunological response to the COVID vaccine has been described, has been described in clinical studies. It is known to occur although it is a very rare entity it is less than one in a million. You don’t know if you’re one of those people, ”said Dr. Tom Moore, infectious disease physician at Wesley Healthcare.

Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that can cause sudden cardiovascular collapse and, in some cases, death.

“Most of the people who developed this very rare problem with the vaccine already had a history of a strong immune response to all kinds of things, especially anaphylaxis and major food allergies, things like that. The vast majority of people with food and seasonal allergies and who are allergic to certain medications can still get the vaccine and have no problems at all, ”said Dr. Moore.

Vaccine studies show the reaction is a possibility with the COVID-19 vaccine, but experts say it is extremely rare and still encourages you to get the vaccine. To date, 133 million Americans have received the vaccine. Last month, a report reported that there are 62 reports of confirmed anaphylaxis, 46 after the Pfizer vaccine and 16 after the Moderna vaccine. However, none resulted in deaths.

“You’re more likely to be struck by lightning,” said Dr. Moore.

Moore said vaccine clinics should also have supplies on hand to treat side effects. For example, we know that the Sedgwick County Vaccination Clinic has epi pens and other supplies available for this very reason.

Copyright 2021 KWCH. All rights reserved.

Source