First Death from COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects Reported in Singapore

Bangladeshi Man in His 20s Dies from Myocarditis
Maximum Compensation under Vaccine Injury Financial Support Program

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eunha] Singapore has reported its first death due to side effects from the COVID-19 vaccination.

According to The Straits Times on the 19th, the Singapore Ministry of Health announced that a 28-year-old Bangladeshi man died of myocarditis after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Singapore explained that this is the "first death related to the COVID-19 vaccine."

Reference photo. The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The man collapsed and died at work on July 9, 21 days after receiving his first dose of the Moderna vaccine on June 18, 2021. Medical staff acknowledged the likelihood of a connection, stating that "it is highly possible that it is related to the COVID-19 vaccination."

The bereaved family will receive a lump sum of $168,000 (218.4 million KRW) under the government's Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Program. This is the maximum amount available under this policy.

The Ministry of Health stated that over 17 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Singapore to date. Regarding this, the incidence rate of myocarditis is rare, at 0.1 cases per 100,000 doses for the bivalent vaccine (updated vaccine). Myocarditis can also occur due to viral infections or allergic reactions to certain chemicals or drugs.