Death of 55-year-old after COVID-19 vaccine devastates family

No link between the vaccine jab and his death has been established, but the case is being investigated by health authorities, which is standard procedure.

The Northern Daily Leader can reveal the shock death after speaking to the 55-year-old's family on Wednesday.

The next-of-kin, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed the otherwise "fit and healthy" 55-year-old man tragically died on April 21 in Tamworth hospital in NSW's north west.

The family member said he was told by staff at the hospital that the patient had suffered a "massive" blood clot.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) told the Leader in a statement it was aware of this particular case but would not comment publicly on individual circumstances.

It warned no link between the vaccine and the man's death had been established, and that "the reporting of an adverse event to TGA post vaccination does not mean the event was caused by vaccination".

The family member said the 55-year-old man collapsed while running errands in West Tamworth on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 21. He was rushed to Tamworth hospital.

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The family member was contacted by the hospital and rushed to be by the bedside, where he said he was told by hospital staff that the patient had suffered a blood clot in his lungs.

The 55-year-old man died in Tamworth hospital that night.

The family member told the Leader an autopsy had been performed in Newcastle last week and he had been told there was no evidence found of the deceased having pre-existing heart or lung conditions.

He said he knew the 55-year-old had been to get the vaccination on April 13 but was not sure which brand of the vaccine he was given.

The family member said he wasn't "pointing the finger" at the vaccine or anything else, and was aware no link had been made at this stage between the vaccine and the death of the 55-year-old. He said the family were still in shock at the sudden death.

NSW Health said it would not comment on individual cases and Hunter New England Health (HNEH) did not respond to the Leader's questions.

The TGA said in the statement that "all reports to the TGA of death following vaccination are reviewed to assess the likelihood that the vaccine contributed to the event or medical condition that led to a fatal outcome".

"This review is undertaken by clinical staff and includes gathering and considering relevant clinical information on the patient's current and past medical history, risk factors and medications at the time of vaccination as well as any tests such as pathology and clinical notes, and where necessary involves discussion with the relevant state and territory health departments and the individual's health professionals," the TGA spokesperson confirmed.

"In some cases expert advice may be sought through a Vaccine Safety Investigation Group, or the Advisory Committee on Vaccines."