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Woman's death likely linked to AstraZeneca vaccine

The death of a NSW woman who developed blood clots after receiving a coronavirus vaccination is likely linked to the AstraZeneca jab, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has concluded.

The 48-year-old woman, from the Central Coast in NSW, died on Wednesday.

She was placed on dialysis after developing blood clots on Saturday, one day after receiving the vaccination.

Cropped image of nurse injecting Covid-19 Vaccine to a patient. Female healthcare worker is working at hospital. She is holding syringe.
The woman developed blood clots the day after receiving the AstraZeneca jab. Source: Getty/FILE

“The TGA's Vaccine Safety Investigation Group (VSIG) met late today and concluded that a recently reported case of thrombosis (blood clots in the arteries and veins) with thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) is likely to be linked to vaccination,” TGA said in a statement.

An autopsy on the patient will be conducted next week.

Vaccination benefits 'outweigh risk', medical officer says

Earlier Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly told reporters in Canberra that "people should be cautious about jumping to conclusions" over the case.

Professor Kelly said the benefits of the vaccination program far outweighed any harm, noting that Australia's zero local case level would not continue into the future.

"We will at some point in the future .... have cases here in Australia," he said.

"The chances of being infected will increase, so being vaccinated is protection not only for yourself but the people you care for.

"The benefits of being vaccinated outweigh the risk of these rare events."

He noted one unpublished overseas study suggested COVID-19 itself brought a risk of blood clotting.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australians should listen to medical experts and inform themselves properly.

So far, just over 1.4 million Australians have had at least one dose of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine.

- with AAP

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