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 – passed out 25 minutes after receiving the injection and died in the hospital on Sunday morning, Aundrea Cline-Thomas of CBS2 said.
In a statement, the state health commissioner said, during the 15-minute observation period after vaccination, “… he had no adverse reactions or any suffering”.
VACCINE FOR COVID
“Until we know more about a detailed medical history for this patient, or one or two others who had something similar happened, we won’t really know what caused it,” said Dr. Max Gomez of CBS2.
State health officials do not believe the man has had an allergic reaction – a rare but possible side effect. According to the CDC, 10 allergic reactions, and no deaths, have been reported in nearly 4.1 million doses of Modern vaccine administered from December 21 to January 10.
“So far, it has been extraordinarily safe. I mean, we, worldwide, vaccinate many millions of people with really few adverse side effects, compared to the possibility of contracting COVID, ”said Gomez.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
That is why the medical community advocates for vaccine safety. So far, nearly 1 million people in New York City have been vaccinated.
The coroner is investigating how this man died, but it is too early to associate the vaccine with the patient’s death.
COVID’s vaccination sites, including the Javits Center, remain open throughout the city. Medical professionals say the possibility of contracting COVID still poses a much greater threat.