Jack Last, from Stowmarket, Suffolk, died on April 20, 2021, three weeks after being given the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, which he was only offered due to an NHS error
A man died after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine due to a mix-up with his medical records, that incorrectly listed him as living with his ‘at risk’ parents.
Jack Last, 27, an engineer from Stowmarket in Suffolk, began experiencing headaches after his jab on March 30, 2021, and died just three weeks later on April 20. In a cruel twist of fate, government health advisors recommended people under 30 to opt for alternative vaccines a mere week after Jack was vaccinated, due to concerns over rare but fatal brain blood clots.
A report published today by the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board disclosed that Jack was erroneously given the vaccine because he was mistakenly identified as a household contact of his vulnerable parents. Despite moving out in 2018 and updating his contact information, his parents’ landline number remained on his medical record, leading to the fateful invitation for an early vaccination.
The investigation into Jack’s death highlighted “system shortcomings, human error, and tragic unfortunate timing” as contributing factors. Additionally, it was revealed that Jack had been contacted for the vaccine because of a historical note regarding COPD; a condition he did not have on one of his parents’ GP records.
In a statement, Jack’s family expressed their devastation upon learning about the errors that led to his premature invitation for the vaccine, describing the revelation as “heartbreaking”, reports the Express. The day before Mr Last received his vaccine-related text on March 20, a decision was made to broaden the vaccine eligibility criteria to include household members of those classified in cohort 6.
Jack was matched with his home phone number and got his invite as records showed he lived with his parents. He began feeling unwell on April 5 and by April 9, Jack reached out to the 111 service for help. Following advice from a healthcare professional, Jack headed to West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds for medical attention.
An external company providing after-hours services performed a CT scan on Mr Last, which a radiologist claimed showed no significant irregularities in his brain a report that proved inaccurate. It is noted in the report that “It would also have been advisable to send Jack straight away to another hospital or centre that could provide the CT venogram he needed, rather than waiting until the next day.”
With the crucial CT venogram revealing a blood clot a day late, any life-saving treatment was delayed by a further 15 vital hours. While the report judged that this delay likely didn’t alter Mr Last’s ultimate fate, it nonetheless represented a lost chance. Jack’s situation worsened, necessitating an urgent transfer to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge.
Dr Andrew Kelso, Medical Director for the Suffolk and North East Essex ICB, expressed ongoing condolences, saying: “Our thoughts remain with the family of Jack and have been throughout this very tragic case. On behalf of all system partners, we are truly sorry for what has happened and for the loss, heartbreak and distress they must be experiencing.”
“Due to the seriousness of what happened, we immediately commissioned an independent review to fully understand what led to this tragedy and to identify learning. We also wanted to give the family all the answers to their questions.” This independent review allowed the system to look at the incident from beginning to end, without the restrictions of organisational boundaries and without prejudice.” An inquest into Jack’s death in 2022 ruled that he had died as a “direct result” of the vaccination.
