Singapore — The Ministry of Health (MOH) has released a public statement denouncing a “serious allegation” made by a doctor that a teenager had passed away after receiving his Covid-19 vaccine.
“MOH is aware of a redacted police report circulating online and claiming that a teenager had passed away in October 2021 after receiving his Covid-19 vaccine,” wrote MOH on Facebook on Thursday (Dec 30).
The police report was filed on Dec 27 by Dr Paul Yang, who has been an advocate against vaccinations and alleged that the 16-year-old died due to the vaccine, MOH noted.
“It is a serious allegation. The teenager received his vaccination 75 days before his unfortunate passing,” MOH explained.
“The case has been referred to the coroner, and an autopsy was performed. Further post-autopsy tests are being performed.”
MOH said that pending the determination of the cause of death, the public should not spread any unsubstantiated speculations.
“Only vaccines that comply with the World Health Organization’s guidelines and meet strict standards of safety, quality and efficacy will be used in Singapore,” the agency added.
Open letter made by doctors
In June this year, a group of doctors requested for a “short delay” in administering doses to adolescent males after an incident where a 13-year-old boy in the United States died three days upon receiving his second Covid-19 shot.
It was reported that Dr Yang was a signatory of the open letter.
He later retracted the letter, noting, “‘ Eleven of the doctors, excluding Dr Khoo, eventually retracted their letter and said that they were withdrawing their “humble ponderings” as some of their thoughts may be misunderstood by some laypersons. We will henceforth ponder in a more professional and private forum,’ they said.”
Meanwhile, infectious disease expert and President of the Asia Pacific Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Paul Tambyah said earlier this year that the idea of vaccinating the younger population was significant as it expands the cohort of vaccinated individuals.
“The idea of vaccinating this age group (children under the age of 12) is a way to protect the vulnerable,” Dr Tambyah.
Anthony Fauci, Chief Medical Advisor to the US President, also urged children and teens to get vaccinated when possible.
“You have the capability of protecting yourself as a young person, 12 to 15, but also knowing that you’re not going to pass it on to someone else,” said Dr Fauci in a CNN report.
MOH highlighted in its statement that the Covid-19 vaccines being used in Singapore had been assessed to be safe and efficacious by both the Health Science Authority and the Expert Committee on Covid-19 vaccination.
“We have also put in place measures to ensure the safety of Covid-19 vaccine recipients before, during and after vaccination,” added MOH, encouraging the public to continue supporting vaccination efforts as a key response to the Covid-19 pandemic. /TISG
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