Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
California Investigates Death Of Patient Who Received Vaccine
Fox News: Second California Patient Dies Soon After COVID-19 Vaccination, Investigations Underway
X-ray technician Tim Zook’s health went into a sharp decline after receiving the second shot and he was eventually transferred to the University of California, Irvine Medical Center where he died Jan. 9. ... An investigation was underway into Zook's death after he allegedly developed an onslaught of medical issues following the second dose of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine. ... The news comes amid reports of a separate patient in Placer County who tested positive for COVID-19 in late December, was vaccinated Thursday and died several hours after receiving the shot, the Placer County Sheriff's office announced Saturday. That case also involves an active investigation into the cause of death. (Rivas, 1/27)
Orange County Register: Health Care Worker Dies After Second Dose Of COVID Vaccine, Investigations Underway
Tim Zook’s last post on Facebook brimmed with optimism. “Never been so excited to get a shot before,” he wrote on Jan. 5, above a photo of the Band-Aid on his arm and his COVID-19 vaccination card. “I am now fully vaccinated after receiving my 2nd Pfizer dose.” Zook, 60, was an X-ray technologist at South Coast Global Medical Center in Santa Ana. A couple of hours later, he had an upset stomach and trouble breathing. By 3:30 p.m. it was so bad his colleagues at work walked him to the emergency room. “Should I be worried?” his wife, Rochelle, texted when she got the news. “No, absolutely not,” he texted back. “Do you think this is a direct result of the vaccine?” she typed. “No, no,” he said. “I’m not sure what. But don’t worry.” (Sforza, 1/26)
SF Gate: Death Of Northern California Man Several Hours After COVID-19 Vaccine Probed
A Northern California man died Thursday several hours after receiving a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to Placer County Public Health and the Placer County Sheriff's Office. The man previously tested positive for the coronavirus in late December. "There are multiple local, state, and federal agencies actively investigating this case; any reports surrounding the cause of death are premature, pending the outcome of the investigation," a statement from the sheriff's office said. "Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased." (Graff, 1/25)
