"Still Anxious" vs "Still Need Vaccination": Heated Debate Over Concerns About Vaccine Side Effects

Over 500,000 COVID-19 Vaccinations Administered
Approximately 6,800 Reports of Adverse Reactions Including Headache and Fever
"Worried About Severe Immune Symptoms," "Suspicions of Side Effects" Expressed
Calls to Institutionalize 'Vaccine Leave' After Vaccination
Experts Say "No Causal Link Between Severe Reactions and Vaccine... Vaccination Is Necessary"

On the morning of the 27th of last month, medical staff received the Pfizer vaccine at the Central Vaccination Center of the National Medical Center in Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] As the number of COVID-19 vaccine recipients in South Korea surpasses 400,000, reports of adverse reactions continue, leading to growing public anxiety about the vaccine. Some recipients have shared their post-vaccination immune symptoms, expressing doubts about the vaccine's safety, while experts emphasize that vaccination is essential to achieve herd immunity and end the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, as of midnight on the 10th, a total of 500,635 people have received their first vaccine dose, with 487,704 receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine and 12,931 receiving the Pfizer vaccine.

No additional deaths have been reported following vaccination, keeping the total number of deaths at 13. Furthermore, there have been 6,859 reported cases suspected of adverse reactions to the vaccine, of which 6,782 were mild cases such as headaches, fever, and nausea.

Rehabilitation medicine specialist Kim Kyung-ryeol shared a video on his YouTube channel documenting his experience of immune responses such as fever and muscle pain after receiving the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine. Photo by YouTube channel 'Busan Doctor Kim Wonjang' video capture

Some vaccinated individuals, including active medical professionals, have shared their experiences of immune symptoms on social media platforms. Dr. Kim Kyung-ryeol, a rehabilitation medicine specialist who runs the YouTube channel 'Busan Doctor Kim Wonjang,' released a video on the 4th detailing his experience of fever, chills, and muscle pain lasting two days after receiving the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine.

Dr. Kim reported that about 10 hours after receiving the AZ vaccine, he experienced severe chills and a fever that peaked at 38.7 degrees Celsius. He explained, "The symptoms were similar to those of the flu. Honestly, calling this a side effect is a bit misleading. These are typical symptoms that appear when the body mounts an immune response."

He added that after taking two 500mg Tylenol tablets, his fever subsided within about three hours. "Still, healthy citizens should get the AZ vaccine. We need to get vaccinated and form herd immunity to end the COVID-19 crisis that began last year," he emphasized.

As more recipients report immune responses such as headaches and fever reduction, public anxiety about the vaccine remains high. Moreover, false information spreading online?such as claims that vaccines alter human genes or cause blindness?has further fueled concerns about vaccine safety.

On the 11th, Mr. A (51), who received the vaccine, said, "Even though it’s said to be safe, I’ve heard that immune symptoms often appear quite strongly, so I’m nervous. I don’t have any underlying conditions, but I’m not young like the youth, and since it concerns life, I feel a bit anxious. I bought some over-the-counter medicine just in case I develop a fever or muscle pain, and I plan to monitor my condition closely."

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board capture

Some citizens express skepticism about the vaccine's safety and distrust the government. On the 10th, a petition titled "Doubts about the acknowledgment and compensation for COVID vaccine side effects" was posted on the Blue House's public petition board, garnering over 15,000 signatures.

The petitioner stated, "My cousin is currently hospitalized due to abnormal symptoms after receiving the COVID vaccine. He is a healthy man in his mid-20s with no underlying conditions, but after vaccination, he vomited more than ten times and had a fever from the night of the vaccination until early the next morning. He went to a nearby hospital emergency room and was admitted to the intensive care unit on March 5."

He added, "The government has emphasized safety and taken full responsibility for vaccine side effects, but after witnessing these abnormal symptoms firsthand, I question whether the government truly intends to acknowledge causality in vaccine side effect cases or if this system is merely superficial. I doubt its effectiveness."

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and Head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, who is in charge of the COVID-19 vaccination response task force, is moving to brief on COVID-19 vaccination adverse reaction reports and investigation progress at the KDCA in Cheongju, Chungbuk, on the 3rd. Photo by Yonhap News

On the other hand, opinions urging trust in the vaccine to build herd immunity and prevent the continuation of the COVID-19 crisis have also been expressed. Experts particularly stress the importance of vaccination, noting that no causal link has been established between deaths and the vaccine. Previously, health authorities concluded after investigating eight death reports that it is difficult to recognize causality between the vaccine and deaths. The deaths were determined to be due to worsening underlying conditions, not COVID-19 vaccination.

Accordingly, Professor Jung Jae-hoon of Gachon University College of Medicine’s Department of Preventive Medicine said on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae’s Focus' on the 9th, "Both AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines show a much higher rate of mild adverse reactions compared to existing vaccines, but this does not indicate a problem with the vaccines. Rather, it proves that the vaccines are effectively stimulating our immune system." He explained, "The important issue is severe adverse reactions that affect life. So far, no direct causal relationship has been confirmed between the vaccine and severe reactions such as death, and no anaphylaxis (acute allergic reaction) has been observed."

He continued, "For critically ill or terminal patients, the government advises very cautious decisions regarding vaccination, but generally, people with hypertension or diabetes should get vaccinated because the benefits overwhelmingly outweigh the risks."

Additionally, Professor Kim Woo-joo of Korea University’s Department of Infectious Diseases emphasized, "Vaccination is actually the only way to end the current COVID-19 crisis. It is important for the government to transparently disclose personal information about the deceased and communicate responsibly."

Meanwhile, as more vaccine recipients report immune responses such as fever and muscle pain after vaccination, calls have emerged to institutionalize 'vaccine leave' allowing 1-2 days off after vaccination.

On the 10th, Professor Jung Jae-hoon suggested on his social media, "I think it would be good to institutionalize or recommend a day or two of leave for those receiving the vaccine. Providing a way to rest at home for a day or two after vaccination, supported by the government, would be a great help."

In response, health authorities stated that introducing 'vaccine leave' would require discussions among relevant government departments. Park Young-jun, head of the Adverse Reaction Investigation Support Team at the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, said, "We recommend and encourage rest for one or two days if adverse reactions are severe, but institutionalizing this requires discussions with multiple departments."

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