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BBC Radio presenter Lisa Shaw’s death to be probed by coroner as family say she suffered blood clots
The death of BBC Radio Newcastle presenter Lisa Shaw is to be probed by a coroner.
Her family say she was being treated for blood clots days after her first dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. Shaw died aged 44 on Friday at Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle.
A coroner will consider if her cause of death may have been complicated by the jab.
The AstraZeneca vaccine has been linked to only 309 clotting cases and 56 deaths in the UK – out of 33,000,000 shots.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said that while the estimated incidence rate of blood clot cases has increased over time, the number of cases remains extremely low in the context of the millions of doses administered.
The regulator’s position remains that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine continue to outweigh the risks for the vast majority of people.
Scientists in Germany claim to have figured out the cause of the very rare blood clots linked to the vaccine, and say they know how to stop it happening.
Shaw’s family said in a statement: ‘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.’
A spokesperson for MHRA said cases remain ‘extremely low’.
They added: ‘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.’
BBC Radio Newcastle’s acting executive editor Rik Martin paid tribute, saying everyone at the station was ‘devastated and thinking about Lisa’s lovely family’.
He added: ‘She was a trusted colleague, a brilliant presenter, a wonderful friend, and a loving wife and mum. She loved being on the radio and was loved by our audiences.
‘We’ve lost someone special who meant a great deal to a great many people.’
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