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Coronavirus crisis: Family pay tribute to Genene Norris whose death is ‘likely linked’ to COVID-19 jab

The West Australian
Genene Norris died in the days after receiving her COVID-19 vaccination.
Camera IconGenene Norris died in the days after receiving her COVID-19 vaccination. Credit: Facebook

The family of Genene Norris, who died from a blood clot days after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination, has remembered the 48-year-old as a fun-loving woman devoted to her family and friends.

In a statement released by Ms Norris’ employer, Sanitarium, the family also thanked the medical staff who battled to save her.

Late on Friday the Therapeutic Goods Administration vaccine safety group concluded Ms Norris’ death was likely linked to her AstraZeneca vaccination.

She had a number of other chronic health conditions.

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Her family said they knew nothing further about the factors which led to her death at this stage.

“We know as much as the public knows as further medical investigations need to take place,” the statement read.

Ms Norris’ family said her death was a “profound loss”.

“Everyone who knew Genene talks of her fun loving, happy character and her sense of service to those around her,” the statement said.

“Genene’s devotion to our family was deep and gave her much joy. Her passing leaves a gaping void in our family.

“We cannot believe that this time last week she was with us and now she is gone.”

The AstraZeneca vaccine, which was slated to be the “workhorse” of Australia’s vaccine rollout, was last week scrapped as the preferred option for people under 50 due to updated medical advice.

But a new Oxford University study, which is yet to be peer reviewed, found the virus itself is still far more dangerous.

Researchers examined and compared over 500,000 coronavirus diagnoses and more than 480,000 recipients of a mRNA vaccine - either the Pfizer or Moderna jab.

Based on US data, it found blood clotting in the brain - cerebral venous thrombosis or CVT - occurs in 39 people per million diagnosed with COVID-19, compared with 4.1 people per million who have received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

The study notes the European Medicines Agency estimates that 5 per million people who receive the AstraZeneca vaccine develop CVT.

On those numbers, a person is 10 times more likely to develop a blood clot in the brain after contracting COVID-19 than after receiving a mRNA vaccine.

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