Mum's stroke death investigated over Covid jab
BBCAn inquest is investigating whether the Covid jab was linked to the death of an 85-year-old woman who suffered a stroke days after it was administered.
Mohinder Kaur Mahal had a stroke on 26 October 2022 and died at Royal Derby Hospital five days later. She was administered the Pfizer Covid jab and a flu vaccination on 19 October.
Mohinder's family were initially told the stroke caused her death but they disagreed and the matter was referred to the coroner.
The inquest heard that proceedings were moved to Leicester from Derby after the previous coroner recused herself from the case over concerns of bias.
On Monday, the inquest heard Mohinder had her first Covid-19 jab in March 2021. She became unwell after receiving a second vaccination - the Pfizer jab - in October 2022.
Baldev Mahal, one of Mohinder's sons, said she "was not wanting the vaccine" but was convinced to have a second jab after discussions with her friends.
Mohinder, who had four children, had a number of long-term health conditions, including heart failure, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and had suffered a previous stroke in January 2021.
Baldev told the inquiry he was Mohinder's "principal carer" for the last 12 months of her life and saw her multiple times a day on an "ad-hoc" basis.
She went into hospital on 20 September due to stomach pain and was diagnosed with gall bladder stones.
A few days after her discharge, the inquest heard, she was given her second Covid vaccination and a flu jab at Lister House Surgery in Derby.
Baldev called for an ambulance on 26 October after he found his mum lying on her bed, partially dressed, with no movement on her side.
He said he informed ambulance crew and a doctor at the hospital that his mother had recently been administered the Covid and flu jabs.
Following his mother's death, Baldev spoke to a doctor at Lister House Surgery informing him of Mohinder's death, and said she had been administered a Covid vaccine.
"I told him my mum had died. He checked mum's records and he said she should not have had that one," he said.
Baldev said: "When I look back now, I am convinced - it's my own opinion - that there is some kind of trigger.
"Something jolted my mum's system to send her down that road.
"I respectfully say to anyone - it's not trying to put a downer on the vaccine, I'm not questioning the efficacy of the vaccines - this is just what happened in my mum's circumstances."
Dr Mahya Johnson, a GP partner at Lister House Surgery, gave evidence about Mohinder's previous medical history on Monday.
She told the inquest that due to Mohinder being housebound, she was recorded as being "severely frail" and considered vulnerable to illness due to her age and medical history.
Dr James Scott, a stroke consultant at Royal Derby Hospital, told the coroner he did not think the vaccination played a part in Mohinder's stroke.
He said: "She had heart failure, she had an injury to the brain, to the other side, from her previous stroke. So she did not have a fair fight on her hands."
Senior coroner Prof Catherine Mason said if it was found that the Covid jab caused or contributed to Mohinder's death, Johnson would be called back to give further evidence.
In the pen portrait, one of Mohinder's other children described her as "devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother".
"Her patience, strength and compassion helped shape the lives of those she loved."
The inquest continues.
Listen to BBC Radio Derby on Sounds and follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.
