S'pore records first death linked to Covid-19 vaccination after coroner ruled man died from heart inflammation post-jab: MOH

SINGAPORE — Singapore has recorded its first Covid-19 vaccine-related death after the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Friday (Feb 17) that a 28-year-old Bangladeshi man likely died due to a vaccination against the coronavirus.

In a statement, the ministry said that the man had died 21 days after receiving his first dose of the Moderna-Spikevax Covid-19 vaccine on June 18, 2021. He died on July 9 that year after collapsing at his workplace earlier that day.

The State Coroner ruled on Wednesday that the man’s death was a “medical misadventure”, with the cause of death certified as myocarditis, a type of heart inflammation.

The coroner also found that on the balance of probabilities, it was “likely to be related to Covid-19 vaccination”, MOH said without naming the deceased.

Under the ministry's Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme, a one-time financial aid of S$225,000 will be extended to the man’s family.

“MOH is working with the Ministry of Manpower to extend assistance to his family and facilitate their application,” MOH added.

It also said that to date, more than 17 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered in Singapore through the national vaccination programme and this is “the first death related to Covid-19 vaccination locally”.

In the latest vaccine safety update by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), the incidence of myocarditis remains rare with reporting rates of 0.1 per 100,000 doses (or 0.0001 per cent) for the bivalent vaccines that target more than one strain of the coronavirus.

For the primary vaccination series of the monovalent vaccines, the figures are 1.1 per 100,000 doses (or 0.0011 per cent).

MOH said that as a precautionary measure, since September 2021, vaccinated persons are advised to avoid strenuous physical activity or exercise for two weeks after vaccination to mitigate the potential risk of myocarditis.

It also advised persons with chest discomfort, abnormal heartbeats or any other symptoms that arise after vaccination to seek medical attention promptly.

“This will enable early diagnosis and appropriate medical management of any rare severe adverse events that may occur after vaccination.”

MOH said that along with the expert committee on Covid-19 vaccination and HSA, it will continue to monitor vaccine-related serious adverse events closely.

An adverse event refers to any undesirable medical condition that occurs after taking the vaccine, which has to be reported by healthcare providers to HSA.