An investigation is underway on the death of a 68-year-old Kansas woman who had a reaction to the coronavirus vaccine and received medical treatment, but later died. While the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) said it would be “premature to determine a specific cause of death” before the investigation was completed, Jeanie Marie Evans’s obituary said she died “of a reaction to the COVID vaccine. “
According to a statement provided to Fox News, KDHE was informed of the death of a 68-year-old Atchison County resident and informed that the individual had been vaccinated in Jefferson County. The statement said local health department officials said “to appreciate the CDC’s guidelines have been followed.”
“During the waiting period after the vaccine was administered, the individual started experiencing anaphylaxis and medical treatment was provided,” the statement said. “The resident was transported to a local hospital, where the individual later died. The death will be investigated according to the standard protocol. Until the investigation is completed, it is premature to determine a specific cause of death.”
Evans’s obituary stated that she died at Topeka’s Stormont-Vail Hospital.
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Anaphylaxis cases after vaccination with COVID-19, although rare, have been reported to the CDC. As such, the agency issued guidelines for post-vaccination monitoring for such events. Each vaccination site is advised to have at least three doses of epinephrine available at all times, and those who have a history of an immediate allergic reaction of any severity to another vaccine or injectable therapy, or those with a history of anaphylaxis due to any cause should be monitored for 30 minutes instead of the traditional 15 minute period.
Authorities said it would be “premature to determine a specific cause of death” before the investigation is completed.
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Anaphylaxis can be fatal and requires immediate attention. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, such as throat closing or tightening, hoarseness, coughing, difficulty swallowing, nasal congestion or others, or they may present as gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramping. Others may have cardiovascular problems, such as dizziness, fainting, tachycardia, hypotension or weak pulse, or a person may experience hives, generalized redness, itching or swelling.
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“If anaphylaxis is suspected, administer epinephrine as soon as possible, contact emergency medical services and transfer patients to a higher level of medical care,” recommends the CDC.
It was not clear whether Evans had a history of anaphylaxis or if she had been instructed to wait 15 or 30 minutes after vaccination for monitoring.
The KDHE statement said that local health officials reported death through the CDC’s Adverse Vaccine Notification System (VAERS).
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Evans’ obituary said her death was unexpected “and that she was active on the Effingham city council. She left three sons, two daughters, fifteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.