Isabela midwife dies 13 days after getting Sinovac jab

SAN MATEO, Isabela – A 52-year-old midwife died on Thursday (Mar. 25), 13 days after she was inoculated with her first dose of the CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine.

Elvie Estera, 52, of Gaddana village here, was a frontliner at a San Mateo rural health unit (RHU). She died at the San Mateo Integrated Community Hospital although doctors have not yet connected her death to the vaccine produced by Chinese drugmaker Sinovac Biotech Ltd.

Estera’s demise is being investigated by the Adverse Event Following Immunization Committee.

“There is no reason to suspend vaccination despite the serious adverse event,” said Dr. Rio Magpantay, Cagayan Valley director of the Department of Health.

Another patient also died, days after a rapid antigen test found her positive for COVID-19 in Marasat Pequeño village. But details about the death have not been released.

Due to the fatalities, Mayor Gregorio Pua locked down the rural health unit and two buildings of the municipal government for aggressive disinfection.

To date, 51 active cases are housed at community quarantine facilities. A doctor and two ambulance drivers were among 16 new cases who were found positive for the virus.

Granular lockdowns have been imposed in some villages, which received food packs and vitamins.

VILLAMOR VISAYA JR. INQ

/MUF