Health Care Worker Dies After Second Vaccine Dose, But Family Tells Others to Get Vaccinated
A health care worker died after receiving his second vaccine dose against COVID-19 on January 9, but his family still urged others to get vaccinated.
Tim Zook, a 60-year-old health care worker at South Coast Global Medical Center, complained of an upset stomach after getting his second vaccine worker. He also had trouble breathing, according to Orange County Register.
These complications arose four days after Zook received his second vaccine dose. In the afternoon of January 9, the he was walked to the emergency room because of how bad his condition had been.
Zook's death is still under investigation and his family isn't going to jump conclusions on the role played by the second vaccine dose in his death, reported KTLA.
Zook Shared Hopeful Message After Getting Second Vaccine Dose
As an X-ray technologist for the hospital, Zook witnessed COVID-19 patients struggle to breathe as devastated families suffered from loss.
Zook managed for 11 months as he also grappled with his own fears about the deadly coronavirus.
After getting his second vaccine dose, Zook finally felt hopeful and he didn't waste time in sharing his enthusiasm online.
Read also: Portuguese Health Worker Dies Two Days After Receiving Pfizer Vaccine, Autopsy Results Unknown
In a Facebook post, Zook brimmed with optimism.
"Never been so excited to get a shot before," he wrote on Jan. 5. His post came with a photo of the Band-Aid on his arm and his COVID-19 vaccination card.
His wife, Rochelle Zook, recalled the work he did over the past year in helping COVID-19 patients.
She added that her husband often went home very emotional after all the death he witnessed. "But he never gave up," she added, also talking about her husband's belief in vaccines.
Upon getting walked to the emergency room, Zook texted his wife about the situation who then asked if it was possible that it was a reaction to the vaccine.
"I'm not sure what. But don't worry," he told her.
Los Angeles Times said in a report that all tests for COVID-19 on Zook came back negative and he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure.
Hours later, since he was still struggling to breath despite being put on oxygen, Zook was put on a BiPAP machine to help send air to his lungs.
His earlier message saying he'd be home late changed into him going home the next day instead.
He went through several complications like respiratory distress and kidney failure and was also placed on a medically induced coma.
On January 9, four days after he was walked into the E.R., he had to be resuscitated thrice over several hours and died that afternoon.
Health Care Worker's Family Chose Not to Blame
Zook's family still doesn't know if the vaccine played a role in the man's death but chose not to throw blame at anyone as investigation by federal and local authorities is underway.
"We are not blaming any pharmaceutical company," said Rochelle. "My husband loved what he did...He believed in vaccines."
The family was insistent that the death should not dissuade others from getting the vaccine.
Rochelle Zook was also adamant that her husband would get vaccinated again if he could do it over.
However, they did call for officials to "do more research" and "know the cause." They also wanted assurance that vaccines would be as safe as possible.
Related story: South Florida Doctor's Death Two Weeks After Getting Coronavirus Vaccine Under Investigation
Zook's death comes after a Florida doctor died on January 3, weeks following his first vaccine dose. His death is also under investigation.
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