BBC Presenter Lisa Shaw died of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine complications

It is believed to be the first time a Covid jab has been ruled the underlying cause of death in the UK

BBC presenter Lisa Shaw died due to complications from the AstraZeneca vaccine, a coroner concluded on Thursday. Shaw, who worked from BBC Radio Newcastle, died in May, just over three weeks after she was vaccinated. The 44-year-old's death, MailOnline reported, is believed to be the first time a Covid jab has officially been ruled the underlying cause of death in the UK.

Newcastle coroner Karen Dilks heard Shaw suffered from blood clots in her brain which caused a deadly stroke.

The inquest heard that the condition linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine was extremely rare.

According to the UK medical watchdog, there have been 417 cases of blood clotting after the AstraZeneca vaccine out of nearly 50 million doses administered.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) says the rate was about 15 per million injections.

In a statement issued after the hearing, Shaw's family said: "This is another difficult day in what has been a devastating time for us.

"The death of our beloved Lisa has left a terrible void in our family and in our lives.

"She truly was the most wonderful wife, mum, daughter, sister and friend.

"We have said all we want to say in public at this time and ask to be left alone to grieve and rebuild our lives in private. Thank you."

Shaw - who was referred to by her married name, Lisa Eve, during the hearing - started to complain of a headache a few days after her vaccination and eventually went to A&E in Durham. She was later diagnosed with a blood clot and transferred for specialist treatment at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary. The inquest heard that, despite treatments including cutting away part of her skull to relieve pressure, nothing further could be done and Shaw died on May 21. Earlier in the hearing, pathologist Tuomo Polvikoski told the coroner that Shaw was fit and healthy before receiving the vaccination. Asked about the underlying cause of the fatal clotting on her brain, Dr Polvikoski said the clinical evidence "strongly supports the idea that it was, indeed, vaccine-induced". "Based on available clinical information, it seems to be the most likely explanation," the pathologist added.

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