Italy: Criminal Investigation Launched As Music Teacher Died 17 Hours After AstraZeneca Shot
By The COVID Blog
Sandro Tognatti
BIELLA, ITALY — The Oxford-AstraZeneca viral vector shot has claimed yet another victim. Now prosecutors are getting involved.
Mr. Sandro Tognatti received the first shot this past Saturday afternoon in Biella, Piedmont Region, according to Italian new wire service Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA). His wife, Simona Riussi, said Tognatti developed a high fever later that night. Mr. Tognatti woke up Sunday morning still feeling ill. His wife called an ambulance as his condition worsened. But the 57-year-old clarinet teacher was dead by the time paramedics arrived.
Biella prosecutor Teresa Angela Camelio immediately seized nearly 400,000 doses of the AstraZeneca shots (Lot ABV5811), according to the La Republicca newspaper. Italy suspended use of the AstraZeneca shots on March 11 after reports of blood clots and two other deaths after inoculation.
Prosecutors also opened a manslaughter investigation. The Judicial Authority and the Medicines Supervision Commission are concurrently investigating the matter.
Mr. Tognatti had no pre-existing health conditions. Coroner Roberto Testi said that nothing will be certain until the autopsy is complete. Camelio said the criminal investigation is necessary to obtain “objective and incontrovertible evidence.”