The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has confirmed a second death linked to the Covid-19 Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
Second person dies from rare syndrome linked to Covid-vaccine: Here’s what we know
According to News24 , SAHPRA released a statement on Monday, 12 September 2022. The National Immunisation Safety Expert Committee conducted a causality assessment of the case. The death was classified as being related to the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
SAHPRA releases latest update on COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen – 2nd case of Guillain-Barré syndrome @nicd_sa@HealthZA@GCISMedia#SAHPRA#GBS#COVID19 #AEFIs#NDoH#AdverseEventsFollowingImmunisation#media#NISEChttps://t.co/8JGeMPe3pu
— SAHPRA (@SAHPRA1) September 12, 2022
SAHPRA chief executive Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela said a second fatal case of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) had been confirmed. Guillain-Barre syndrome is a very rare but potentially severely neurological event associated with medication administration.
“Causality assessment of the reported case was conducted by the National Immunisation Safety Expert Committee (NISEC) using the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) methodology. The case was classified as a vaccine product-related event following investigations conducted and causality assessment.
“The events reported in the vaccine recipient were consistent with the case definition of GBS, and no other likely cause of GBS was identified at the time of illness. As previously communicated, GBS is a very rare but potentially severe neurological adverse event that is associated with the administration of various vaccines and other medicines and can also be triggered by some bacterial or viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2.”
What are the symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome?
Semete-Makokotlela added that some symptoms of GBS range from mild to severe and may include muscle weakness, muscle pain, numbness, and tingling.
Additionally, investigations and causality assessments of all reported severe adverse events following immunisation with the Covid-19 vaccine, and Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine are ongoing.
The regulator has urged the public to continue reporting severe adverse illnesses after vaccination.
The first GBS death related to the vaccine was reported in August 2022.
The regulator had previously investigated reports of the syndrome associated with COVID-19 vaccines. They concluded that the J&J vaccine might increase the risk of GBS.
Despite this, SAHPRA says the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine far outweigh the very low risk of severe illness.
People who want to report suspected adverse events following the use of all medicines and vaccines can go to a health facility or download the Med Safety App. They can also call the Covid-19 hotline at 0800 029 999.