Japan started its COVID-19 vaccination program several weeks ago, with only the jab from Pfizer-BioNTech being authorized. Healthcare workers represent the first group from the Asian country to receive the vaccine. Only three days after getting vaccinated for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a woman in her 60s from Japan died of a brain hemorrhage, as an article from Japantoday.com reveals.
The health ministry stated that there might not be a connection between the vaccine and the woman’s death. However, more information is needed about the case. The ministry quoted the doctor Tomohiro Morio, who is advising the government:
The brain hemorrhage that is suspected as a cause is relatively common among people from their 40s to their 60s, and at this time, based on examples overseas, there does not seem to be a link between brain hemorrhages and the coronavirus vaccine.
He also said:
It may be a coincidental case, but there is a need to gather more information and make an assessment in upcoming working groups.
The Pfizer vaccine has already been given to over 249 million people across the world.
Over 433,000 infections
According to data from worldometers.info, Japan reported a total of a bit over 433,000 COVID infections. The vast majority of these ill people were recovered (412,115 individuals, meaning about 98%). Unfortunately, 7933 COVID patients lost the battle with the disease, but the numbers are still low considering the huge population of Japan: about 125 million people.
As the vaccination campaign continues across the world, the main goal is to vaccinate at least 70% to 80% of the population. Health experts say that herd immunity will be reached after hitting the previously mentioned percentage.
