Sudden Cardiac Arrest of Young Chinese Woman Reignites Debate About Vaccine Safety

A technician works in a lab at Sinovac Biotech in Beijing on Sept. 24, 2020. Sinovac recently halted production of its COVID-19 vaccine. Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

In an unsettling incident in Ningbo, a coastal city in China’s Zhejiang Province, a 20-year-old woman suffered sudden cardiac arrest after apparently suffering a stomach bug. The alarming case, which doctors suspect was linked to myocarditis, a serious heart condition, has reignited debates about the side effects of the Chinese-made inactivated COVID-19 vaccine.

The incident, reported by Chinese state media on Jan. 26, occurred when the young woman collapsed at a bus stop and was rushed to the hospital, showing no signs of pulse or breathing. Her symptoms preceding the collapse, including five days of persistent diarrhea, led medical professionals to speculate that she died from fulminant myocarditis, a severe type of acute myocarditis that progresses rapidly and is often characterized by heart failure, malignant arrhythmia, cardiogenic shock, and cardiac arrest. The condition is known for its high mortality rate, especially among younger adults, some studies indicate.

Dr. Xie Jianchang, a cardiologist with the First Hospital of Hangzhou, was interviewed by Chinese media highlighting the severity of viral myocarditis, particularly among those under 40. This condition, which can significantly impair heart function, arises from viruses targeting the respiratory and digestive systems, and damaging heart muscle cells. It carries a substantial risk of complications even with timely treatment.

Myocarditis, characterized by inflammation of the heart muscle, can trigger heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmias. Typically stemming from viral infections, its symptoms range from chest pain and fatigue to irregular heartbeats and fever.

Dr. Liu Siyuan (a pseudonym) from Shanghai’s Huashan Hospital, expressed concerns to the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times over the rise in cardiovascular diseases since the pandemic’s onset, including cases of myocarditis in children—a previously rare occurrence. Dr. Liu referenced growing incidences of conditions like hypertension and diabetes in young populations, suggesting a correlation with the COVID-19 vaccination.

Beijing’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd., one of the first to introduce a COVID-19 inactivated vaccine in China, has halted production of the vaccine. As of January 2024, the company ceased sales of its COVID-19 vaccine and suspended performance wages for employees involved in the project.

A pre-print study published in the European Society of Cardiology open-access journal Heart Failure on Jan. 14, entitled “Autopsy findings in cases of fatal COVID-19 vaccine-induced myocarditis,” associates COVID-19 vaccines with myocarditis, heart inflammation that is potentially lethal. The study joins a growing body of evidence supporting a link between the vaccines and myocarditis.

The study examined 28 autopsy cases, with 26 showing cardiovascular impact. The average age of death was 44.4 years, with symptoms appearing on average 6.2 days after the last vaccine dose. An independent review concluded a probable causal link between the vaccine and the 28 fatalities.

Mounting Skepticism Over Domestic COVID-19 Vaccines in China

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s assertive drive to implement a universal COVID-19 vaccination policy has led to a surge in social media discussions about adverse health events following vaccination. Reports of pulmonary nodules, cerebral infarctions, heart diseases, leukemia, and even instances of sudden death, have raised public suspicion regarding potential vaccine-related side effects.

Dr. Jiang Xiaoqing (a pseudonym), a medical professional from Jiangxi, shared a personal tragedy with the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times on Jan. 19. Her sister, who was 49, passed away on Dec. 18, following complications that she believes were associated with the Sinovac vaccine.

With visible grief, Dr. Jiang detailed her sister’s health struggles following her vaccination in 2021. She said her sister “began experiencing numbness in her limbs after her second Sinovac shot. Subsequently, she developed purpura on various parts of her body, initially thought to be a skin condition, but later diagnosed as lupus erythematosus. This led to the necessity of dialysis due to blood clots, causing her immense pain.”

“Starting from September 2023, she suddenly faced edema and a rapid decline in her immune system. Soon, she was battling a multitude of conditions, including pulmonary nodules, blood clots, myocarditis, lupus erythematosus, and eventually diabetes. Her health deteriorated swiftly, and she collapsed at home in December, only to pass away in the ICU without uttering a last word,” Dr. Jiang recounted.

She expressed suspicions that the Sinovac vaccine might be connected to her sister’s death, as well as to other sudden fatalities she has observed, affecting both the elderly and the young.

Dr. Jiang expressed alarm at the frequency of conditions such as blood clots, heart diseases, leukemia, and even pediatric cases of diabetes and lupus erythematosus, the causes of which remain uncertain.

Li Yuqin from Jilin Province, and Mr. Liu from Liaoning Province (both pseudonyms), shared their personal experiences and observations post-vaccination.

Ms. Li spoke of numbness and chronic pain experienced after her Sinovac vaccination in 2021, leading to a dependence on hot water soaks and massages for relief.

Mr. Liu narrated the story of a colleague who suffered Bell’s palsy, a type of facial paralysis, following his vaccination in 2022. He complained about the lack of accountability and compensation for such adverse events.

The wave of health concerns coincides with the untimely deaths of several young CCP experts involved in COVID-19 vaccine or virus research. Mr. Liu’s reaction, drawing on the Chinese traditional concept of “karmic retribution,” was that the deaths were not coincidental.

Xin Ning contributed to this report.