Ponchatoula Man dies after developing autoimmune disease from vaccine

St Charles Herald

A man with local ties died Jan. 28 after doctors say his second COVID vaccine caused an immune response that led to the development of an autoimmune disease.

Brandon Pollet, 33, was born and raised in LaPlace and lived in St. Charles Parish for 10 years before moving to Ponchatoula.

“Brandon had no prior medical history,” Brandon’s wife Jessica Pollet said. “After his second Pfizer vaccine, Brandon developed a headache right away then fever 48 hours after.”

His first hospitalization was Oct. 21 – Nov. 7.

“He was worked up for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, or HLH, but it was ruled out and he was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called Still’s Disease,” Jessica said. “After discharge, Brandon went home for about a month and was then re-hospitalized Dec. 14.”

Jessica said it was later in December when Brandon was officially diagnosed with HLH. The couple has a 1-year-old daughter.

“He received the HLH protocol treatment, which included chemotherapy,” she said last week. “Unfortunately, none of the usual treatments have worked. The doctors have agreed that the COVID vaccine caused an immune response that led to the development of the autoimmune disease and HLH.”

Jessica said that the employees of Shell Oil – where Brandon worked as an instrument mechanic – have been incredibly supportive and encouraging to the entire family, as has the entire St. Charles Parish community.

“The community has organized blood drives and a GoFundMe account to support Brandon and to help us pay medical bills,” Jessica, who took leave from work to care for Brandon, said. “We ask for your thoughts and prayers.”

The GoFundMe for Brandon Pollet – which has raised over $30,000 for the family – can be found by searching “Help Brandon with Medical Bills” on the site.