ALBERTA – (660 NEWS) – Alberta’s chief medical officer of health confirmed the death of a patient linked to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, late Tuesday night.
In a statement, Dr. Deena Hinshaw said the woman in her 50s died from immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT).
I am sad to report tonight that we have confirmed Alberta’s first death from VITT following vaccination from the AstraZeneca #COVID19AB vaccine.
My sincere condolences go out to those grieving this loss. https://t.co/rCQTQYjJnP (1/3)— Dr. Deena Hinshaw (@CMOH_Alberta) May 5, 2021
According to the website for the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), the illness is an autoimmune bleeding disorder characterized by low levels of blood cells called platelets.
Dr. Hinshaw notes the risks of dying or suffering other severe outcomes from COVID-19 remain far greater than the risk following AstraZeneca vaccine. It’s the first death tied to more than 253,000 doses administered in the province.
A 54-year-old woman in Quebec also died in a VITT case after getting the Oxford-AstraZeneca shot last month.
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