EFFINGHAM, Kan. (KWCH) – An investigation is underway to see if a woman from Atchison County died with the COVID-19 vaccine.
According to an obituary at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home, Jeanie M. Evans, 68, 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 issued the following statement:
“The KDHE learned this morning of the death of a 68-year-old Atchison County resident. The resident was vaccinated in Jefferson County and, according to the Local Health Department, the appropriate CDC guidelines were followed. During the waiting period after the vaccine was administered, the individual began to experience anaphylaxis and medical treatment was provided. The resident was transported to a local hospital, where the individual later died. Death will be fully investigated according to the standard protocol. Until the investigation is completed, it is premature to determine a specific cause of death.
The Local Health Department registered the death at VAERS, the Vaccine adverse event notification system, a national vaccine safety surveillance program administered by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Whenever death or any adverse event occurs after vaccination, the case must be reported to VAERS. This process allows the CDC and the FDA to monitor adverse events that may be related to vaccination. As it is the standard protocol for any reported deaths in VAERS, it will be fully revised. The VAERS report will help inform a more complete investigation that can conclusively identify the individual’s specific cause of death.
Our thoughts and condolences go to the individual’s family. “
Evans’ family suspects that the vaccine caused his death due to a rare serious allergic reaction. There have been more than 100 million shots fired across the United States and more than a million in Kansas. The vast majority report only mild side effects, but from the beginning, the CDC has warned of allergic reactions in some people.
“This severe immune reaction to the COVID vaccine has already been described, it has been described in clinical trials. 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, an infectious disease physician at Wesley Healthcare.
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can cause sudden cardiovascular collapse and, in some cases, death.
“Most people who developed this very rare problem with the vaccine already had a history of a rapid immune reaction to a variety of things, specifically anaphylaxis and significant food allergies, that sort of thing. The vast majority of people who have food allergies, seasonal allergies and allergies to certain medications can still get the vaccine and have no problems, ”said Dr. Moore.
Vaccine tests show that 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. So far, 133 million Americans have received the vaccine, a report last month said there are 62 reports of confirmed anaphylaxis have been confirmed, 46 after the Pfizer vaccine and 16 after the Modern vaccine. However, none led to death.
“You are more likely to be struck by lightning,” said Dr. Moore.
Moore said vaccine clinics must also have supplies to treat adverse reactions. For example, we know that the Sedgwick County vaccine clinic has epi-pens and other supplies available for that exact reason.
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