KOTA KINABALU: Sabah health officials have denied allegations on social media that a Tuaran teenager died as a result of a booster Covid-19 vaccine dose.

       Sabah Health Department director Datuk Dr Rose Nani Mudin said an investigation was carried out immediately into the allegations before it was found that the matter was false.

       “The patient died last Saturday (Feb 12) and the real cause of death was due to a worsening congenital lung infection and not due to the booster Covid-19 vaccine dose as alleged.

       "The patient's condition has been explained to the patient's family members and they received the explanation on the cause of death well," Dr Rose said in a statement Monday (Feb 14).

       She said the investigation also found that the patient only received two doses of Covid-19 vaccine and never took a booster dose.

       “The patient received the first dose on July 31, 2021 and the second dose on August 21, 2021.

       "The patient's mother and Tuaran Hospital confirmed that the patient had never taken a booster dose," she added.

       Dr Rose also said that a police report was lodged by the patient's mother on Sunday (Feb 13) and denied the death of her son was due to the booster shot.

       “The mother also denied that her family members had spread the news of her son’s death from the booster on WhatsApp," she added.

       She said Tuaran Hospital had also lodged a police report to investigate the fake news and pictures of the patient that were sent out by irresponsible individuals.

       Dr Rose urged the public not to spread fake news on any social media platforms because it can not only confuse the public, but can also threaten the privacy of patients and family members.

       Legal action can be taken against the individual concerned for irresponsible actions," she added.