Senior team from Health Ministry to probe death of Reg. 1 child

A senior team from the Ministry of Health, including Senior Pathologist Dr. Nehaul SIngh, is expected to travel to the Moruca sub-district in Region One (Barima- Waini) to investigate the death of a 13-year-old boy.

According to local reports, the boy died on Monday afternoon after he was administered his second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines that are currently being administered to children older than 12. A press release from the Health Ministry confirmed that the boy indeed received his second dose of the US-made Pfizer vaccine at 14:00hrs.

The release further stated that the boy received his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine three weeks ago; then, he did not experience any adverse effects. After receiving his second dose of the Pfizer vaccine on Monday, however, the ministry said that he was observed for an “uneventful twenty minutes”. Then, it was reported that he showed no reaction to the vaccine and as such, he was then allowed to proceed home.

But, the ministry also reported that two hours after returning home, the young boy felt faint and was taken to the Kumaka Hospital. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead.

“The cause of death is unknown at this time,” the ministry said, adding that the senior team will travel to Moruca to determine the boy’s cause of death.

“A post mortem will be conducted by the team, and the circumstances leading to the child’s death will be determined,” the ministry said further.

Meanwhile, the ministry urged citizens to desist from speculating on the boy’s cause of death and instead, await the results of the post mortem and other-related investigations.