An investigation has been launched into the death of a British journalist who her family says died from complications after having had the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
BBC presenter Lisa Shaw died on Friday and according to her family, she had been treated for blood clots days after her first jab.
A coroner is now looking into the claims.
The current fact-of-death certificate shows the vaccine as one of the possible reasons being considered, reports the BBC.
Newcastle’s senior coroner Karen Dilks released the document which confirms an investigation into Shaw’s death will take place and lists a “complication of AstraZeneca Covid-19 virus vaccination” as a consideration.
Shaw, who worked for BBC Radio Newcastle, was not known to have any underlying health problems.
In a statement her family said: “Lisa developed severe headaches a week after receiving her AstraZeneca vaccine and fell seriously ill a few days later.
“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 BBC has described Shaw as a “brilliant presenter” who was “loved by our audiences”.
“We’ve lost someone special who meant a great deal to a great many people,” it said.
The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said vaccine benefits exceed risks for most people.
In a statement a spokesperson for the MHRA 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.”
The blood clots linked to the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine are considered extremely rare.
