THE UK medicines regulator has urged people to continue to get the Covid-19 jab as it conducts a review of the inquest verdict into the death of North East radio presenter Lisa Shaw.

A coroner in Newcastle concluded the award-winning BBC radio presenter from Consett, County Durham, died due to complications of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccination in May - just three weeks after |she had her first dose of the jab.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has now said the benefits of the Covid-19 vaccine AstraZeneca continue to outweight the risks for most people.

Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer said: “Lisa Shaw’s death is tragic and our thoughts are with her family.

“As with any serious suspected side effects, reports of fatalities are evaluated by us, including an assessment of post-mortem details if available. We will be reviewing the coroner’s verdict.

“The benefits of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca continue to outweigh the risks for most people. The number of cases, including fatalities, remain extremely low given that over 48m doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca have been administered. As of today COVID-19 vaccines have saved an estimated 106,000 lives, 24 million infections and 82,100 hospitalisations have been prevented.

“It is therefore still vitally important that people come forward for their vaccination and for their second dose when invited to do so.

“We ask anyone who suspects they have experienced a side effect linked with their COVID-19 vaccine to report it to the Coronavirus Yellow Card website.” 

The body has undertaken a thorough review into the 417 UK reports of extremely rare blood clots occurring together with low levels of platelets following vaccination with the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca since up to and including 18 August. The overall incidence rate is 15 cases per million after the first or unknown doses administered and 1.8 cases per million after the second. 44 reports have been received associated with a second dose.  

These reports have also been analysed by the government’s independent advisory body, the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) and its COVID-19 Vaccines Benefit Risk Expert Working Group, which includes lay representatives and advice from leading haematologists.   

While the estimated incidence rate has increased over time as awareness of the condition increases across the healthcare system and previously unrecognised cases are reported to the MHRA, the number of cases remains extremely low given that over 48m doses of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca have been administered. 

The position of the MHRA remains that the benefits of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca continue to outweigh the risks for most people.    

As a precautionary measure, anyone who has symptoms four days or more after vaccination is advised to seek prompt medical advice, such as:    

o a new onset of severe or persistent headache, blurred vision, confusion or seizures    

o develop shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling or persistent abdominal pain

o unusual skin bruising or pinpoint round spots beyond the injection site   

The 44-year-old – who was referred to by her married name, Lisa Eve, during the hearing – started to complain of a headache a few days after her vaccination and eventually went to A&E in Durham, where she was diagnosed with a blood clot and was transferred for specialist treatment at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.

The inquest heard that, despite treatments, including cutting away part of her skull to relieve pressure, nothing further could be done and Ms Shaw died on May 21.

At the end of a hearing which lasted less than an hour, Newcastle senior coroner Karen Dilks gave a narrative conclusion, which said: “Lisa died due to complications of an AstraZeneca Covid vaccine.”

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