Adverse Vaccine Reactions Increase by 674 to Over 8,000 Cases... No Additional Death Reports

Most Cases Mild Symptoms
12 Suspected Anaphylaxis, 2 Increased Seizures, etc.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] The number of cases reported to health authorities suspected of adverse reactions after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine increased by about 670 cases the previous day, reaching over 8,000 cases. There were no additional death reports, maintaining the existing total of 15 deaths.

674 Reports of Adverse Reactions After Vaccination

According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team (Promotion Team) on the 13th, as of midnight on that day, 674 new cases of adverse reactions after vaccination were reported, bringing the cumulative total to 8,322 cases. There were no additional death reports, keeping the total at 15.

The causal relationship between death and vaccination has not yet been confirmed. Earlier, the Promotion Team announced that at the 'Vaccination Damage Investigation Committee' meeting held on the 7th, it was tentatively judged that the eight previously reported death cases were "difficult to recognize as causally related to adverse reactions after vaccination."

There were 12 additional suspected cases of anaphylaxis, a severe systemic allergic reaction. Among these, 11 were related to the AstraZeneca vaccine and 1 to the Pfizer vaccine. Two additional severe suspected cases such as seizures were also reported. The remaining 660 cases were reported with relatively mild symptoms such as headache, fever, nausea, and muscle pain.

98.8% of Reports Related to AstraZeneca Vaccine

Since vaccinations began on the 26th of last month, the cumulative number of suspected adverse reaction reports in Korea is 8,322. As of midnight on that day, this represents about 1.05% of the 787,302 people vaccinated domestically. The total number of reported deaths remains at 15.

By vaccine type, 8,225 reports (98.8% of total) were related to the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine. Reports related to the Pfizer vaccine were 97 cases (1.2%). This is likely due to the much larger number of AstraZeneca vaccine recipients (558,299 people) compared to Pfizer vaccine recipients (25,359 people).

The adverse reaction reporting rate relative to the number of vaccinated individuals was 1.47% for the AstraZeneca vaccine and 0.38% for the Pfizer vaccine. Among the reported adverse reactions other than mild cases, there have been a cumulative 73 suspected anaphylaxis cases (69 AstraZeneca, 4 Pfizer), 7 severe suspected cases such as seizures or ICU admissions, and 15 deaths.

Suspected anaphylaxis cases are broadly categorized into anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock, and anaphylactoid reactions. Of the 73 reported cases so far, 72 were anaphylactoid reactions and 1 was anaphylactic shock. Anaphylactoid reactions are symptoms such as difficulty breathing or hives occurring within 2 hours after vaccination. Although these symptoms resemble anaphylaxis, experts explain that they can improve with symptomatic treatment and are not considered a major problem.

Additionally, the Promotion Team reported that 8,227 cases, accounting for 98.8% of all adverse reaction reports, were mild cases commonly occurring after vaccination, such as muscle pain, headache, fever, and nausea.

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