Mom-of-four, 35, dies from blood clot in brain 11 days after getting Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine, family says

A MOTHER-of-four died from a brain blood clot just 11 days after receiving the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, her family says.

Anne VanGeest, 35, of Eastern Township, Michigan, was given the one-shot vaccine on April 8 – five days before the CDC and FDA temporarily paused use of the jab over blood clot concerns.

She died on April 19 at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s in Grand Rapids, with her official cause of death listed as “acute subarachnoid hemorrhage non-traumatic”, WOOD-TV reported.

The condition occurs when a blood clot in a vessel bursts, causing bleeding in the space between the brain and in the surrounding membrane.

Days prior, VanGeest complained to family members that she was suffering from a persistent headache.

In a statement issued by VanGeest’s family, they stopped short of saying she died directly from the J&J vaccine and instead said she died “as the result of complications after receiving” the shot.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the news of Anne’s passing as the result of complications after receiving the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine,” the statement read.

“Anne (Annie), who was 35, was a loving mother, wife, sister and daughter. An active member in the animal rescue community, Annie will be remembered as a fierce advocate, a master-multi-tasker, and a caring friend by her colleagues, fellow volunteers, and family.

“We ask for privacy for her family as they mourn Annie’s passing and celebrate her life.”

On April 12, both the CDC and FDA recommended a pause of the J&J vaccine after six reports of a “rare and severe type of blood clot,” called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST).

That number later rose to 15 cases – mostly involving women under 50 – among the 7.2 million vaccinations administered, equivalent to a rate of around just 0.00018 percent. 

All of those affected experienced complications between four and 28 days after receiving the vaccine, according to officials.

Three died, but the pause was ultimately lifted after 10 days, on April 23, when a panel of scientific advisers determined the benefits of the shot far outweighed any risks.

The CDC confirmed to VanGeest’s family that her death was reported through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), a vaccine safety system managed by the CDC and FDA.

“We did receive a VAERS report concerning [Anne’s] case. It was filed by her healthcare provider,” a statement from the agency read in part.

“VAERS accepts reports of possible side effects (also called ‘adverse events’) following vaccination. The system is not designed to determine whether a reported adverse event was caused by the vaccine, but serves as an early warning system and helps CDC and FDA identify areas for further study.

“When VAERS receives reports of serious illness or death after vaccination, VAERS staff contact the hospital where the patient was treated to obtain the associated medical records to better understand the adverse event. They do not routinely contact the family.”

In total, VAERS obtained 13,725 adverse event reports for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and 97 percent were found to be nonserious.

Neither the FDA nor the CDC has confirmed whether they’re investigating VanGeest’s death.

In a statement last week, Johnson & Johnson said: “There is no greater priority than the safety and well-being of the people we serve, and we carefully review reports of adverse events in individuals receiving our medicines or vaccines.

“Any report about an individual receiving our COVID-19 vaccine and our assessment of that report is shared with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other appropriate health authorities.

“This is part of the established process to inform health authorities’ comprehensive surveillance programs that monitor the overall safety of medicines, as well the vaccines authorized for use against this pandemic.”

In the meantime, VanGeest’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the cost of her funeral and help support the four children she left behind.

So far, the fundraiser has amassed over $27,000 in donations out of a goal of $50,000.

“We are heartbroken. Annie had a heart full of unconditional love,” a post authored on the page by Carri Shipaila read. “But most of all, Annie was a wonderful mom to her four beautiful children.

“She threw herself into mothering them whole-heartedly, whether she had girl time by sharing Starbuck frappuccinos with her eldest daughter, snuggling with her youngest son and their dogs, or proudly displaying the new business cards for her husband of 13 years, Adam ‘Goose’ VanGeest.

“Our goal is to ensure that Adam and the children have no worries for funeral, medical and their farm expenses to ensure they have time to grieve and adjust,” she continued.

“Please continue to share and pray for the family.”