ON March 15, 2021, a death was reported in an individual who had received the COVID-19 vaccine and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19.
In response, the regional and national Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) committees were activated to conduct a thorough investigation of the case. Upon completion of the investigation following the 2019 WHO AEFI causality assessment methodology, the National Adverse Event Following Immunization Committee (NAEFIC) and Regional Adverse Event Following Immunization Committee (RAEFIC) concluded that the cause of the death was caused by COVID-19 itself, not by the COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines cannot cause COVID-19.
The Department of Health (DOH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emphasized that vaccines are only one part of the solution in bringing the COVID-19 pandemic to an end. Even with vaccines, people must continue with the important prevention measures already in place: wearing masks, maintaining physical distancing, washing hands frequently, and avoiding crowded places and settings.
The DOH and FDA encourage all health workers to get vaccinated especially now that there is a huge surge in COVID 19 cases. Millions of people around the world have received this vaccine, and evidence continues to show that the benefit of vaccination outweighs the risks of severe disease and death caused by COVID-19.