Teenager Eligible for $225,000 Financial Assistance Under Singapore’s Vaccine Injury Programme
Singapore teenager eligible for $225,000 financial assistance after suffering heart attack following COVID-19 vaccine
A 16-year-old teenager in Singapore who suffered a heart attack six days after receiving his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine will be eligible for a one-time financial assistance of $225,000 under Singapore’s Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme (VIFAP), the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Monday.
The MOH stated that medical investigations revealed that the youth had developed acute severe myocarditis, which led to the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The myocarditis was likely a serious adverse event arising from the COVID-19 vaccine, which may have been aggravated by his strenuous weightlifting and high consumption of caffeine through energy drinks and supplements.
Despite the severity of his condition, the teenager is currently “recovering steadily” and undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. The MOH mentioned that he is making good progress and can perform his daily activities without assistance. However, he will likely require outpatient rehabilitation before he can return to school and resume other activities.
The ministry emphasized the importance of avoiding strenuous physical activity for one week after each dose of the vaccine, especially for adolescents and younger men. Individuals are advised to seek medical attention promptly if they experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or abnormal heartbeats.
While there is a small increased risk of myocarditis or pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination, the local incidence rate remains low at 0.48 per 100,000 doses administered. The majority of individuals who developed these conditions have responded well to treatment and have recovered.
The MOH reiterated that vaccination using the authorized mRNA COVID-19 vaccines continues to be recommended for all eligible persons, as the protective benefits outweigh the risks. The ministry, along with the expert committee on COVID-19 vaccination and the Health Sciences Authority, will continue to monitor vaccine-related serious adverse events closely.
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