The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating a report of an Oregon death that was submitted to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) on April 18.

VAERS is a national vaccine safety monitoring system overseen by the CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It serves as a place for doctors, nurses, vaccine manufacturers and the general public to submit information about any health problems that occur after vaccination — even if the problem can’t be tied for certain to the vaccination itself. 

The reported death pertains to a woman in her 50s, who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine before the CDC and FDA recommended pause was issued earlier this month. She developed a rare but serious blood clot less than two weeks after her vaccination.

It is important to note that until this investigation is complete, it cannot be determined whether her death was related to the vaccine.

Health care providers are required to report any serious adverse event following vaccination to VAERS in accordance with the emergency use authorization (EUA) for COVID-19 vaccines. It is up to CDC and the FDA, however, to conclude whether a death was caused by the vaccination itself.

As the investigation continues, the CDC and OHA will continue to provide updates on any developments that may transpire.

Read the full OHA press release here.

This article will be updated as more information is released.