Filipina Domestic Helper’s Death From Myocarditis Likely Related To Covid-19 Booster, Says Coroner
UPDATE (9.50pm, 16 Apr): In a press release on Sunday (16 Apr), the Ministry of Health (MOH) said a one-time financial assistance of S$225,000 had been extended to the deceased’s family in the Philippines.
“This is the second death related to Covid-19 vaccination locally,” the ministry said, adding that the incidence of myocarditis remains rare and the majority of cases following vaccination are generally mild and respond to treatment.
“Covid-19 infection is also known to be associated with myocarditis, several times higher than the incidence after vaccination,” MOH also noted.
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In December 2021, a 43-year-old woman passed away four days after receiving a Covid-19 booster vaccination.
A State Coroner has ruled that her death was likely related to the vaccination.
Source: Mika Baumeister on Unsplash
As such, her family will get financial assistance from the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Woman received Pfizer booster on 9 Dec 2021
The deceased was Madam Ontal Charlene Vargas, a Filipina domestic helper, reported Channel NewsAsia (CNA).
On 9 Dec 2021, she received her booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty Covid-19 vaccine.
Source: Mufid Majnun on Unsplash
She reportedly waited 42 minutes at the clinic and showed no adverse effects from it.
She had previously taken two doses of Pfizer and had no reactions, she had said during a visit to the hospital.
Deceased felt unwell the next morning
Madam Vargas went home and did domestic chores after getting the booster, not complaining of any discomfort.
The next morning, however, she allegedly felt tired and breathless and called her husband.
She underwent a check-up at the clinic but was discharged after being assessed to be normal.
She also told them that she didn’t feel any more discomfort in her chest.
Woman passed away on 13 Dec
Later on 10 Dec, Madam Vargas again felt unwell and went to Singapore General Hospital (SGH).
On 12 Dec, she purportedly became unresponsive.
Her condition quickly worsened further after that.
Sadly, she passed away on 13 Dec 2021.
Cause of death is myocarditis likely related to booster
On Friday (14 Apr), the State Coroner released a verdict on Madam Vargas’ cause of death.
The findings certified it as myocarditis — a disease that causes inflammation of the heart muscle.
An autopsy on her body apparently found that her heart muscle was inflamed — consistent with myocarditis.
Source: FEP CFDT on Flickr. Photo for illustration purposes only.
She had no family history of heart disease or congenital heart problems, she reportedly told the hospital when she checked in.
Neither was there evidence that Madam Vargas had a bacterial, viral or fungal infection or autoimmune disease. She also hadn’t taken any drugs or medication that would have led to the condition.
She was otherwise healthy with no chronic illnesses.
Thus, the Coroner found a likely relation between her myocarditis and the Covid-19 booster.
According to medical literature, myocarditis is a known side effect of the Covid-19 vaccine, said the Coroner.
Therefore, the death was ruled as a “medical misadventure”.
Woman’s family will get financial assistance
Following the ruling, Madam Vargas’ family applied to the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme (VIFAP).
This one-time financial assistance is for those who suffer death or permanent severe disability as a result of Covid-19 vaccines administered in Singapore.
Their application was successful, but the amount they would get was not specified in court.
2nd reported death related to Covid-19 vaccination or booster
This case is the second reported death that a Coroner has linked to Covid-19 vaccination in Singapore, according to CNA.
The first was a 28-year-old Bangladeshi man whose family received S$225, 000 under VIFAP.
28-Year-Old Man’s Death In S’pore Likely Related To Covid-19 Vaccination, Family Will Get S$225K
MS News extends our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. We hope they will get their assistance soon.
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Featured image adapted from Mika Baumeister on Unsplash.
