Bhubaneswar: A security guard engaged at Nuapada District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) died on Tuesday, some three days after receiving Covid-19 vaccine, alleged his family members.
Identified as Nanikaram Keunt of Dianmunda village in the district, 27-year-old man was reportedly administrated the Covid-19 vaccine on January 23.
As per reports, Nanikaram complained of ill health on Monday while he was on duty and was admitted to the headquarters hospital by his colleagues in the evening.
However, Nanikaram was later referred to Burla VIMSAR in Sambalpur after his health condition showed signs of deterioration. Despite sincere efforts by the treating physicians, Kuent died while undergoing treatment the next day.
" Nanikaram said that he was not feeling well after receiving the vaccine shot. Though we asked him to take rest, he ignored and went to duty. At around 6 PM yesterday, he fell unconscious and was admitted to the hospital. He was not suffering from any disease before the vaccination," claimed the deceased security guard's brother, Rohit Kumar Keunt.
Following his death, Garib Sena along with the colleagues and family members of Nanikaram staged a protest outside the DHH yesterday demanding compensation and job for his kin.
On the other hand, Nuapada Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Kaliprasad Behera refuted that Nanikaram died due to any Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI).
"The platelet count was high and white blood cell count was less. We suspected the patient was suffering from leukaemia. After administering preliminary treatment, he was referred to Burla. The VIMSAR authorities also said that he died due to intracerebral hemorrhage. However, the exact cause of his death will be known after we get the post-mortem report," said the CDMO.
The State Health and Family Welfare Department has also denied his death was not related to the vaccination.
"One 27-year-old male from Nuapada district died in VIMSAR, Burla this morning with provisional diagnosis of Bleeding Disorder with Severe Anaemia and Intracerebral Haemorrhage. He had received Covid vaccination on 23.01.2021," stated the health department in an official statement released on Tuesday.
"However, as per medical enquiry, the cause of death is not related to Covid vaccination," read the statement.
Two minor cases of AEFI (adverse effect following immunisation) have also been reported during the day.
"A 24-year-old female from Nuapada district, who was vaccinated on January 23, fell ill after taking vaccine while one 23-year-old male from Jharsuguda district also become sick after being vaccinated on January 18. Both are well now," the statement said.
All districts were intimated to submit their plan of action for the next phase of vaccination to be held from January 28 to February 10, it said.
As many as 1,77,090 healthcare workers have already received COVID-19 vaccine by Monday and the next phase will cover another batch of about 1,73,636 people.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)