BBC presenter Lisa Shaw died due to complications from the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, a coroner concluded today.
The 44-year-old radio host died at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in the city just over three weeks after her first dose of the vaccine, heard coroner Karen Dilks.
An inquest, which lasted less than an hour, was told she was admitted to hospital after she complained of headaches and doctors found a haemorrhage on her brain.
Blood clots from AstraZeneca’s Covid vaccine are extremely rare but can kill up to a quarter of the few affected patients, according to a recent study.
The complication prompted UK health chiefs to recommend all under-40s get Pfizer or Moderna instead.
BBC radio presenter Lisa Shaw (pictured above), 44, died at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in the city just over three weeks after her first dose of the vaccine, heard coroner Karen Dilks
An inquest, which lasted less than an hour, was told Ms Shaw (above) was admitted to hospital after she complained of headaches and doctors found a haemorrhage on her brain
In a statement issued after the hearing, Shaw’s family said: ‘This is another difficult day in what has been a devastating time for us.
‘The death of our beloved Lisa has left a terrible void in our family and in our lives.
‘She truly was the most wonderful wife, mum, daughter, sister and friend.
‘We have said all we want to say in public at this time and ask to be left alone to grieve and rebuild our lives in private. Thank you.’
Shaw, who was not known to have any underlying health problems, developed ‘severe’ headaches a week after having the jab and fell seriously ill a few days later, her relatives previously said.
Her relatives previously said: ‘She was treated by the RVI’s [Royal Victoria Infirmary] intensive care team for blood clots and bleeding in her head.
‘Tragically she passed away, surrounded by her family, on Friday afternoon. We are devastated and there is a Lisa-shaped hole in our lives that can never be filled. We will love and miss her always.
‘It’s been a huge comfort to see how loved she was by everyone whose lives she touched, and we ask for privacy at this time to allow us to grieve as a family.’
The Royal Victoria Infirmary, pictured above. Blood clots from AstraZeneca’s Covid vaccine are extremely rare but can kill up to a quarter of the few affected patients, according to a study
UK regulators saw 411 instances of vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis after AstraZeneca’s jab up to July 28. Forty-three cases occurred after second dose
Researchers insist the link between blood clots and AstraZeneca’s Covid vaccine is rare, with the side effect thought to affect just one in 50,000 under-50s who are given the British-made jab.
Of those, 23 per cent died because of vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT) — the name of the side effect.
Experts claimed it was deadlier than other similar clotting disorders.
Thrombocytopenia is a condition where the patient has a low count of cells that help the blood clot, known as platelets. Thrombosis occurs when blood clots block veins or arteries, and is a major cause of strokes and heart attacks.
No clots have been seen for over a month, academics at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust also revealed. But this is mainly because no-one is getting the first dose of the vaccine anymore.
The risk of developing VITT from the second jab — given eight to 12 weeks after the first — is significantly lower.
For this reason, the researchers who investigated the link argued a third dose would probably carry an even smaller risk of blood clots.
In an earlier statement, an MHRA spokesperson said: ‘We are saddened to hear about the death of Lisa Shaw and our thoughts are with her family.
‘As with any serious suspected adverse reaction, reports with a fatal outcome are fully evaluated by the MHRA, including an assessment of post-mortem details if available.
‘Our detailed and rigorous review into reports of blood clots occurring together with thrombocytopenia is ongoing.’
Shaw previously worked in commercial radio and won a Sony Gold Award in 2012 for the breakfast show she hosted on Real Radio with co-host Gary Philipson.
Rik Martin, acting executive editor at BBC Radio Newcastle, said at the time of her death: ‘Everyone at the station is devastated and thinking about Lisa’s lovely family.
‘She was a trusted colleague, a brilliant presenter, a wonderful friend, and a loving wife and mum.
‘She loved being on the radio and was loved by our audiences.
‘We’ve lost someone special who meant a great deal to a great many people.’
Chris Burns, head of BBC Local Radio, added: ‘Lisa was a talented presenter who had already achieved a lot and would have achieved much more.’
UK regulators saw 411 instances of vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis after AstraZeneca’s jab up to July 28.
A total of 43 cases occurred after a second dose.
At that time, 24.8million Britons had received their first AstraZeneca jab and 23.6m had already been fully-vaccinated.