Covid: Mother-of-three died from 'rare' blood clots complication of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine

Tanya Smith, 43, received the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine on March 21 this year.
Tanya Smith, 43, received the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine on March 21 this year.
Yui Mok
Samantha Haynes

By Samantha Haynes


Published: 15/12/2021

- 16:30

Tanya Smith's death is being reviewed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, who are investigating blood clots and any links to the vaccine.

A mother-of three died of multiple blood clots days after having a Covid-19 vaccine, an inquest has found.

Tanya Smith, 43, received the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine on March 21 this year at the Plymouth Argyle vaccination clinic.


The childminder from Plymouth then began suffering from severe stomach pains in the days after getting the jab, Plymouth Coroner’s Court was told on Wednesday.

She was later admitted into Derriford Hospital and died on April 3 in the Penrose intensive care unit (ICU).

Senior coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon Ian Arrow said the blood clots were a “rare complication” of the coronavirus vaccine.

An inquest into Ms Smith’s death was opened on April 12.

Recording a narrative verdict, Mr Arrow said: “It appears to me on the balance of probabilities that, in fact, on the 21st March 2021, Tanya received a vaccination.

“It appears to me some days after she has then developed a number of thromboses throughout her system. In other words, a number of blood clots.

“I’m satisfied those blood clots have led to her death. On the balance of probability, this is a very rare complication of this particular kind of treatment.”

Dr Veronika Kuznets, a GP at Wycliffe Surgery, on Cattedown Road, confirmed Ms Smith, a key worker, had been referred for her first dose of the vaccine.

A post-mortem examination carried out by consultant pathologist Dr Oriolowo found “widespread” blood clots throughout Ms Smith’s body.

Mr Arrow said he would record a narrative conclusion so it will “assist people in the future who are researching deaths of this nature”.

Ms Smith’s family, including her partner Kenneth Edwards, were at the hearing.

Mr Edwards has previously spoken about how Ms Smith was “healthy” until she had the first vaccine dose.

Ms Smith’s death is being reviewed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), who are investigating instances of blood clots and any links to the vaccine.

You may like