Tasmanian man in his 40s dies after receiving AstraZeneca vaccine

A 44-year-old man from Tasmania has died after receiving the AstraZeneca Covid-19 jab, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has reported. It comes after a 48-year-old woman from Victoria died last week.

The TGA said the man and the woman died from a rare complication associated with the vaccine known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome.

“Sadly two people with confirmed TTS following the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine died in the last week,” the TGA said in its weekly report. “One was a 44-year-old man from Tasmania and the other was a 48-year-old woman from Victoria. We extend our sincere condolences to their families and loved ones.”

There have been six deaths related to the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine since the rollout began earlier this year. Of the four previous deaths, three were cases of TTS and one was a case of immune thrombocytopenia, a disorder that can lead to excessive bleeding or bruising.

Around 6.1 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have been administered.