"Need to Hurry Vaccinations Due to Bed Shortage" vs "Must Be Cautious Considering Side Effects"

Tense Debate Over Vaccine Introduction Timing
Speed Argument: "Vaccination in First Half of Next Year Depending on Approval"
Caution Argument: "Thorough Pre-Verification Needed"

[Asia Economy reporters Seo So-jeong and Cho Hyun-ui] As the number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) nears 700 for the second consecutive day, there is a sharp divide between the 'speed argument' and the 'caution argument' regarding the timing of vaccine introduction. The speed argument is based on the fact that despite repeated social distancing upgrades, the spread has not been curbed, and the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has caused not only economic damage but also extreme fatigue among the public. However, some experts argue that since the safety and efficacy have not been verified due to unprecedented rapid vaccine development, it is necessary to observe the trends of advanced countries that started vaccinations first.

Severe shortage of hospital beds... Vaccination should be expedited, later than the US and European Union (EU)

Professor Ki Mo-ran of the Department of Preventive Medicine at the National Cancer Center Graduate School said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 10th, "The approval for use of the COVID-19 vaccine jointly developed by Pfizer and Germany's BioNTech was granted faster than expected in advanced countries," adding, "The government initially expected COVID vaccine vaccinations in the second half of next year based on the assumption that vaccine approval would be granted in early next year, but since approval was granted earlier, vaccinations in our country should be carried out in the first half of next year." Professor Ki emphasized, "Although the government has been securing hospital beds since the second wave in August, given the current trend of critically ill patients, no matter how many beds are expanded, the shortage will persist. The best way to resolve the shortage of hospital beds is to prevent more COVID patients from occurring, so we must meticulously prepare to expedite vaccine introduction and enable public vaccination."

Professor Jeon Byung-yul of the Graduate School of Medicine at CHA University also said the government should prioritize public health and life and proceed with vaccinations quickly. Following the approval of Pfizer vaccine use in the UK and Bahrain on the 9th (local time), Canada also approved it, and with the US, European Union (EU), and Japan rushing to secure vaccines, there are criticisms that our government is already several steps behind. Professor Jeon said, "With confirmed cases threatening the 700 mark, this is not the time to talk about caution," and questioned, "Advanced countries have already started Pfizer vaccinations, and other countries are lining up to get their numbers; isn't it impossible to cut in line?" He pointed out, "Since advanced countries like the US and Germany are closely monitoring vaccine safety, delaying vaccination due to concerns about side effects does not align with the status of K-quarantine, which has been regarded as an exemplary case."

Domestic COVID spread less severe, vaccination should be cautious considering side effects

However, the caution argument is also strong. Some experts believe there is no need to rush vaccination since the domestic COVID-19 spread is not as severe as in the US or Europe. Professor Lee Hwan-jong, emeritus professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine (former chair of the vaccination expert committee), said, "There is no need to hastily introduce vaccines whose safety or efficacy has not been sufficiently verified, as in Europe or the US." He added, "Our country has managed quarantine well, so we have more leeway in timing compared to Europe or the US," and "Over time, we may secure vaccines with better efficacy and safety." Regarding criticisms that our country is lagging behind while some advanced countries have already started vaccinations, he said, "The actual amount of vaccinations in the UK and US this year is not large, and most vaccinations will be carried out next year. Since we can start vaccinations in the first half of next year, I do not think it is very late."

There were also voices calling for sufficient prior verification for priority vaccination groups such as the elderly. Regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine, which will be introduced first domestically in the first quarter of next year, Professor Cheon Eun-mi of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Ewha Mokdong Hospital pointed out, "Clinical research on the elderly is very insufficient," noting, "Among the 5,000 participants in phase 3 clinical trials, only 200 were aged 70 or older, whereas for the Moderna vaccine, more than 7,000 out of 30,000 participants were aged 65 or older, which is a very small number." She argued that additional verification is needed after securing the vaccine due to side effects and efficacy issues. Professor Cheon said, "The AstraZeneca vaccine, which has entered additional clinical trials, shows varying immune effects depending on the dosing method, so further verification is necessary," adding, "The same applies to the Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine, which is also a viral vector vaccine." She concluded, "It is better to proceed with vaccination after securing the vaccine and conducting additional verification."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.