A resident of South Africa became the first person in the country to die from what is called a “causal link” to the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, the nation’s Health Products and Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) said on Thursday.

The unidentified person developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome — a rare neurological disorder that affects the body’s immune system — soon after being administered with the Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.

In a news conference, Senior Scientist Professor Hannelie Meyer said the person died and had been on a ventilator. "At the time of illness no other cause for the Guillain-Barre Syndrome could be identified," said Meyer.

No other details about the person or their illness were provided.

In an emailed statement to Reuters, Johnson & Johnson said Guillain-Barre Syndrome was associated with the administration of various vaccines as well as other medications and can be triggered by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

According to the SAHPRA, more than 9.1 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine have been administered in South Africa.

The agency noted that the European Medicines Agency has conducted a review of 108 suspected cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome worldwide after 21 million received the J&J Janssen COVID vaccine, concluding there is a possible increased risk and casual relationship between the rare disorder and the shot, now listing it as an adverse event of the vaccine.

Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela, chief executive of the SAHPRA, said that the benefit of vaccination still far outweighs the risk of getting GBS.

About 46% of South Africa’s total adult population of 40 million are now fully vaccinated.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be the fourth shot authorized by the European Union
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be the fourth shot authorized by the European Union AFP / KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI
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