Singapore – The Covid-19 vaccine did not kill the 57-year-old man who had a fatal heart attack the day after he was jabbed, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH). Its statement was based on the findings of an independent clinical panel.
Mr Yak Hock Hwa was a private-hire car driver who had received the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine on March 5, 2021, at a vaccination centre in Bukit Timah Community Club.
He took the vaccine when the authorities started offering it to active taxi and private-hire car drivers in late February.
Mr Yak died the evening after he was jabbed.
According to the certified cause of death, he suffered from acute myocardial infarction, which is the medical term for a heart attack.
“Based on the assessment by an independent clinical panel, there is no indication that the death was due to Covid-19 vaccination,” said MOH on Saturday (May 22) in response to TODAY.
The ministry also noted that the Covid-19 vaccines have not caused any deaths in Singapore to date.
Mr Yak’s sister told TODAY that her brother had initially felt well after receiving the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine on March 5 and went on his regular 4 am to 4 pm work schedule the following day.
He began to feel uncomfortable and breathless and felt his hand getting numb on March 6 at around 7 pm.
His sister thought he was experiencing the common side effects of the vaccine.
But when his condition did not improve, she decided to take him to the hospital. However, he collapsed in their flat’s living room as they were about to leave.
Mr Yak was conveyed to the National University Hospital (NUH) by ambulance. He was reported to have died from a heart attack an hour later.
NUH also confirmed that the cause of death was cardiology-related, based on the symptoms he showed and the findings from an electrocardiogram.
“Unfortunately, the patient’s condition deteriorated rapidly, and he did not respond to resuscitation efforts,” said NUH, reiterating the conclusion provided by the independent clinical panel.
However, Mr Yak had been given a clean bill of health over the last two years in periodic health screenings, according to his brother and sister, noted TODAY.
He was found fit on a medical screening on Jan 28, although he had a history of high blood pressure and diabetes. His medical reports also showed no evidence of abnormalities in his cardiovascular system.
The family is hoping that the authorities would give them further explanations or disclose the full report on how they assessed Mr Yak’s death to be unlinked to the Covid-19 vaccine.
They are also hoping to receive compensation from the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance scheme, which provides a S$225,000 payout to a person who dies or suffers permanent severe disability due to the Covid-19 vaccination.
The financial support scheme, which was announced earlier this year, will also provide S$10,000 to a hospitalised patient needing to be placed in the high dependency or intensive care unit for significant side effects after receiving the vaccine.
Although they have not officially submitted an application for the scheme, the family have been told that their brother is ineligible as his death was deemed unrelated to the vaccine.
Members of Parliament Tan Wu Meng (Jurong Group Representation Constituency) and Sim Ann (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) are reported to be assisting the family in this matter./TISG
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