Statement from the Washington State Department of Health

Statement from the Washington State Department of Health

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is aware of the recent death of a King County woman from a blood clot after receiving the J & J vaccine.

“Sadly, this is the first such death in Washington State. We send our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. Losing a loved one at any time is a tragic and difficult and pain that’s become all too familiar in the last year and a half of this pandemic.” says Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Secretary of Health.

Blood clots are a very rare complication associated with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported only three other confirmed deaths nationwide, with this being the first in Washington state. Adverse events associated with vaccines are reported through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) here.

DOH will continue working closely with Public Health Seattle-King County and the CDC as more details become available.

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