Medical Association: No links between covid19 vaccine, deaths of Khan, Haniff

The Medical Association (T&TMA) has said there are no links between the AstraZeneca covid19 vaccine and the recent deaths of Minister of Energy Franklin Khan and Ijaz Haniff.

Khan, who had heart problems, was found dead a few days after being vaccinated. Haniff fell ill after being vaccinated and one report quoted his family as linking his death to the vaccine.

In a statement on Tuesday, the association said it was disappointed by reports linking the deaths to the vaccine, and said the reports were drawing connections without evidence.

“The T&TMA would like to express our deepest condolences to the families of (Haniff and Khan) as they mourn the loss of their loved ones,” said the statement. “Despite their passing these two gentlemen put their country first by taking the covid19 vaccine.”

It said the reports were misleading and were of greater harm than good. While the articles reported numerous other contributing medical conditions that could have led to the outcome, it was still suggested that the vaccine was the cause, it said.

“Our country at this time is undergoing another wave of covid19 infections and as the case numbers begin to spike, we will also see a similar rise in deaths due to this disease," it pointed out. “The long-term hope for this country from a health, as well as an economic, perspective could only be achieved through the development of herd immunity.”

It said the unsubstantiated connections between the deaths and the vaccine will only serve to fuel fear in the public, driving people away from vaccinations.

“We hope the public does not become discouraged as we strive to overcome this ongoing pandemic and continue to fight this uphill battle.”