CDC investigates death of Michigan woman who died from blood clot 11 days after receiving J&J

The family of a Michigan woman says she died from ‘as the result of complications after receiving the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.’

Anne VanGeest, 35, a mother-of-four from Easton Township, was given the one-shot immunization on April 8, reported WOOD TV.

Five days later, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administation (FDA) recommended a temporary pause of J&J over blood clot concerns. 

VanGeest’s family says that within a few days, she developed a nonstop headache. 

She was eventually taken to Mercy Health Saint Mary’s hospital in Grand Rapids,  where she passed away on April 19 – 11 days after her inoculation. 

VanGeest (pictured) developed a nonstop headache and was eventually taken to Mercy Health Saint Mary's hospital, where she died on April 19

Anne VanGeest, 35 (left and right), from Easton Township, Michigan, received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on April 8. She developed a nonstop headache and was eventually taken to Mercy Health Saint Mary’s hospital, where she died on April 19

It comes after a pause was lifted on the J&J vaccine was lifted following blood clot concerns, mostly in women under age 50. Pictured: J&J vaccine at a pop-up clinic  in Staten Island, New York

It comes after a pause was lifted on the J&J vaccine was lifted following blood clot concerns, mostly in women under age 50. Pictured: J&J vaccine at a pop-up clinic  in Staten Island, New York

VanGeest’s death certificate states that her cause of death was an ‘acute subarachnoid hemorrhage non-traumatic,’ according to WOOD TV.

This means that a blood clot in a vessel burst, causing bleeding in the space between the brain and the surrounding membrane 

In a statement from the family provided by Lambert PR, which is providing its services to the family pro bono, the family did not say she died as a result of the J&J vaccine, instead saying her death was a result of health complication after the shot.   

‘It is with profound sadness that we share the news of Anne’s passing, Anne (Annie), who was 35, was a loving mother, wife, sister and daughter,’ the statement read.

‘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 13, the CDC and FDA recommended a pause of the shot after six women developed rare, but serious, blood clots out of 7.2 million vaccinations.

The figure of six was later updated to include 15 people out of more than eight million people given the J&J vaccine, equivalent to a rate of 0.00018 percent.   

All developed cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) – a rare type of blood clot that blocks the brain’s sinus channels of draining blood, which can cause hemorrhages – along with low blood platelet counts, known as thrombocytopenia.

The pause was lifted on 10 days later, on April 23, after a committee of scientific advisers determined the benefits of the vaccine benefits outweighed any risks,

At least three women died and seven remain hospitalized when the pause was lifted.

The CDC confirmed in an email to the VanGeest family, the CDC confirmed it received a report of her death through the agency’s Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).

‘We did receive a VAERS report concerning (Anne’s) case. It was filed by her healthcare provider,’ the email read in part, according to WOOD TV. 

However, the CDC would not confirm to the station whether or not it is investigating VanGeest’s death.

VanGeest’s family has started a GoFundMe page to cover funeral expenses and create scholarships for her children.

As of Monday afternoon, more than $27,00 has been raised out of a $50,000 goal.