An inquest has heard that an 85-year-old Derby grandmother died 12 days after receiving a Covid-19 booster vaccine and a flu jab. Mohinder Kaur Mahal, a widow, suffered a stroke and passed away at Royal Derby Hospital on October 31, 2022. Her family has expressed concerns that the vaccination may have triggered her death.
Family's Concerns and Informed Consent
Baldev Mahal, Mrs Mahal's son and principal carer, told Leicester Coroner's Court on Monday, June 22, that he is convinced the vaccine was a trigger. He stated: 'When I look back now, I’m convinced, in my own opinion, there’s some kind of a trigger. Something’s jolted my mum’s system to send her down that road.' He emphasised that he is not trying to discourage vaccination but is sharing what happened in his mother's circumstances.
Mr Mahal also claimed that informed consent was not obtained. He said neither he nor his mother were told she was receiving a booster jab, and no leaflet was provided about either vaccine. He noted: 'When you think of it from a clinical point of view, informed consent was not gained. For my mum’s academic level, it could have been put simply that this one isn’t for you… some kind of explanation to go along with it.'
Medical History and Symptoms
The inquest heard that Mrs Mahal had diabetes and had previously suffered a stroke in January 2021. She was initially frightened of getting Covid and refused the vaccine several times before changing her mind. After the jab, she experienced blurred vision, pain, confusion, and a severe headache. On October 26, Mr Mahal found her partly dressed on the bed with a locked jaw, unable to speak, and agitated. Ambulance workers were informed of her recent vaccinations.
Dr James Scott, a stroke consultant at Royal Derby Hospital, told the coroner he does not believe the vaccination played a role. He stated: '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.'
Family Tributes and Inquest Proceedings
In a pen portrait, Mrs Mahal's daughter Jaspal recalled her mother's fear of the pandemic and her isolation from friends and family. She said: 'She would say she’s scared but we must bang our pans for all the doctors and nurses. She banged them so hard she broke the pans.' Another son, Jasvinder, described in a written statement that 'family was everything' to her.
The inquest was moved from Derby to Leicester after Baldev Mahal alleged bias by the previous coroner, an accusation she denied. The proceedings continue.
