The Expert Committee concluded that 117 death cases were not causally related to vaccination; two other cases were not yet found causally related, the one case was tentatively considered unrelated to vaccination.
The case that has not yet been found to be causally related to vaccination involved an 83-year-old male, as shown by the autopsy, “death appears to be from acute myocarditis,” as reported by the authorities.
Another case with a similar conclusion involved a 74-year-old male whose autopsy showed that the cause of death “appears to be anaphylaxis and ischaemic heart disease.”
HK$2 Million For A Death Case
Although the Hong Kong government’s (HKgov) claim so far is that there have been no deaths related to the COVID vaccination, the government has set up the Indemnity Fund for Adverse Events Following Immunization with Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) Vaccines (AEFI Fund).In May 2022, the authorities paid HK$2 million (US$250,000) in compensation to a 66-year-old woman who died of myocarditis 16 days after receiving a BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. This is the only death for which the Fund has granted compensation.
In 2021, the government allocated HK$1 billion (US$125 million) to set up the AEFI Fund for “Serious or Unexpected Adverse Events Following Immunization by COVID-19 Vaccines,” including deaths and serious injuries, to provide immediate financial assistance to eligible persons who can provide the relevant proof.
Vaccine Guarantee Fund Rejected
On Aug. 31, 2021, after receiving his second dose of the BioNTech vaccine, a man felt small drops of water coming out of the corners of his mouth when he drank water and felt some drooping of his left eyelid during dinner. When he washed his face the next day, he felt water go in his eyes and water droplets come out when gargling. Therefore, he realized that he had facial paralysis on his left face.The man went to the emergency room of Princess Margaret Hospital on Sept. 2, 2021, and was referred by a doctor who promised to report the case as a post-vaccination adverse event. However, his application for the AEFI Fund was denied because his case was not reported to the DH as a “Serious or Unexpected Adverse Event” by medical staff.
Incentives for Vaccination
The government took every approach to raise the vaccination rates. The Sinovac vaccine, developed by Communist China, was offered to the elderly aged 60 or above living in Kwai Tsing District. Every elderly who received one dose from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 (2021) could redeem a HK$200 (about $25.5) supermarket coupon.Bell’s Palsy
The vaccine’s adverse effects are a concern.However, after reviewing available clinical data, it was considered that 35 cases were not Bell’s palsy, and eight cases had insufficient information for assessment.
For the remaining 624 cases, 326 males and 298 females between two and 94 years old were involved; 298 cases received the CoronaVac vaccine, and 326 received the Comirnaty vaccine.
171 Cases of Heart Diseases
The DH had received 233 reports of suspected myocarditis or pericarditis with symptom onset within 14 days after vaccination. Having reviewed the available clinical data, the Expert Committee considered that 51 cases were unrelated to myocarditis or pericarditis.The report pointed out that the Committee noticed some had suspected myocarditis or pericarditis in Hong Kong and overseas, in Territories where Comirnaty vaccination had been administered. The Expert Committee had considered the investigation results of these cases, but the association between these events and vaccination could not be established. However, the public was advised to avoid strenuous exercise for one week after receiving the fibrate vaccine.
The government received reports of the remaining common adverse events, including chest discomfort, chest pain, rash, palpitations, fainting, and dizziness.
