"Safety First" vs "Only Increasing Confusion": Some Medical Staff Refuse AZ Vaccine, What Do You Think?

Some Medical Staff Resist AZ Vaccine
Concerns Over Side Effects and Safety
Political Circles Urge "President Moon to Be First to Get Vaccinated"
"Safety First for Mass Vaccination" vs "Speed Is Life"

The AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine vial and integrated syringe. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] As the COVID-19 vaccination developed jointly by the British multinational pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca (AZ) and Oxford University approaches in one week, controversy is expected as some medical staff and nurses are showing signs of refusing the vaccination.

The medical personnel refusing vaccination appear to have doubts about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. In this regard, voices urging "President Moon Jae-in should receive the AZ vaccine first to dispel distrust" have emerged in the political sphere, which is expected to deepen the controversy.

Amid this situation, public opinion on the pros and cons of some medical staff opposing vaccination is also sharply divided. Supporters argue that safety is the most important health issue and that maximum caution should be exercised, while opponents criticize that distrust only increases toward a vaccine that has already completed clinical trials and is safe.

◆Some Medical Staff Showing Signs of Refusing Vaccination

According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, the AZ vaccine is scheduled to be administered starting from the 26th to a total of 272,131 people, including inpatients under 65 years old and workers at nursing hospitals, nursing facilities, and rehabilitation facilities.

On the afternoon of the 19th, medical staff placing training vaccines delivered to Gwangju Bukbu Health Center into a refrigerator. / Photo by Yonhap News

However, some medical staff responsible for vaccination have shown negative attitudes toward the AZ vaccine. According to multiple media reports, posts refusing vaccination have been continuously uploaded recently on online communities such as 'Nurse Cape,' which nurses join.

The medical personnel refusing vaccination particularly have doubts about the safety and efficacy of the AZ vaccine. They claim that despite serious side effects occurring during clinical trials, there has been no clear explanation, and some have even stated that they would submit resignation letters if hospitals force vaccination.

◆Calls from Political Circles for "President to Alleviate Public Distrust"

Given the situation, voices urging that "the president should personally step forward to dispel vaccine-related distrust" have also emerged in the political arena.

Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min urged on the 19th for "President Moon Jae-in to receive the vaccine himself to put an end to distrust." / Photo by Yonhap News

On the 19th, former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min wrote on his Facebook, "Starting from the 26th, AZ vaccine administration will begin at nursing facilities, but some medical staff are refusing vaccination," adding, "It would be good if the president’s first vaccination could alleviate the accumulated public distrust."

He also emphasized, "The second vaccination should be led by the Minister of Health and Welfare, the head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and the director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency," adding, "Only then can the public trust and receive the vaccine."

◆"Prioritizing Safety Is Natural" vs. "It Will Undermine Vaccine Trust"

As the controversy over some medical staff refusing vaccination grows, public reactions are sharply divided.

A 20-something office worker A said, "Since this vaccine will be administered to tens of millions of people, especially elderly people vulnerable to health issues, I think it is natural to prioritize safety," defending the refusal.

Another office worker B (31) also said, "Since it is a medicine going into the human body, being cautious is never bad," adding, "If there are opposing voices among medical experts, we should naturally listen to them."

On the other hand, criticism that such refusal is "irresponsible" also emerged. Office worker C (28) pointed out, "Vaccination speed is crucial, and public trust is absolute to achieve that speed, but the actions of some medical staff now are undermining trust in the vaccine," adding, "I think it is not a responsible act."

Housewife D (40s) expressed frustration, saying, "I worry that this kind of controversy will only increase confusion," and "My family has been waiting for the vaccination day with concern, so what are we supposed to do if it is delayed like this?"

◆Health Authorities "AZ Vaccine Confirmed for Safety, Immune Response, and Effectiveness"

Meanwhile, health authorities have explained that the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine has already been confirmed.

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency / Photo by Yonhap News

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team and director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, emphasized at a vaccination implementation briefing held at the Osong Disease Control Headquarters in Cheongju on the afternoon of the 15th, "At the advisory meeting of vaccination experts, it was judged that the vaccine has confirmed safety and immune response and has the effect of preventing severe illness and death," adding, "The AstraZeneca vaccine has already been approved for those aged 18 and over, and its safety and immune response effectiveness have also been confirmed for those aged 65 and over."

However, Director Jung explained the reason for the delay in vaccination for those aged 65 and over, saying, "There were too few elderly participants in the clinical trials," and "Since the number of confirmed cases in the control group was too small to statistically produce conclusive data, it was decided to proceed with vaccination sequentially after confirming additional information."

She added, "It is appropriate to vaccinate high-risk groups with a high severity rate first, but some consideration was given to trust and acceptance of the vaccine," and "It was judged better to vaccinate with solid evidence, so the schedule and order were adjusted."

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