Restrictions on Germany's AZ Vaccine... Authorities "Monitoring Closely, No Immediate Plans to Follow"

"Restrictions on Vaccination Require Internal Discussion... Decisions Will Not Follow Germany"

On the 26th, when COVID-19 vaccinations began in Korea, medical staff at Dobong-gu Public Health Center in Seoul are filling a syringe with the AstraZeneca vaccine. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] As German health authorities have decided to temporarily suspend AstraZeneca vaccinations for those under 60, our government also stated that it is closely monitoring this decision. However, since restrictions on vaccinations require internal discussions, it does not plan to immediately follow Germany's decision.

Park Young-jun, head of the Adverse Reaction Investigation Support Team at the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Group, said at the COVID-19 back briefing on the 31st, "It is understood that some regions in Germany recommended suspending vaccinations for certain age groups due to two reported cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) after vaccination." He added, "However, whether to extend this to the entire country will be finally decided at a meeting on the 1st of next month. We are currently closely monitoring the situation, collecting information, and comparing it with the domestic situation."

Park explained, "There are still not many related cases domestically, and since abnormal symptoms mainly appear abroad, we have no choice but to rely on foreign situations and information." He added, "We plan to promptly take follow-up measures accordingly." So far, one suspected case of CVST symptoms after vaccination has been reported domestically. The individual is in their 20s and was part of the first COVID-19 response team.

Hong Jeong-ik, head of the Vaccination Planning Team at the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Group, said, "While monitoring overseas trends, we need to see whether this is a widespread issue or a problem limited to certain regions." He added, "This is a matter requiring expert and internal discussions, and we are not making decisions by simply following Germany."

Meanwhile, as Pfizer vaccinations begin tomorrow for the elderly aged 75 and over, health authorities urged active participation in vaccinations to prevent 'no-shows.' Hwang Ho-pyeong, head of the Vaccination Implementation Team 1, said, "To quickly establish herd immunity, please actively participate in vaccinations and try to get vaccinated on the scheduled date." He encouraged, "Due to the nature of the Pfizer vaccine, once opened, it must be administered within a short time, so please actively participate to prevent no-shows."

If vaccine leftovers occur due to 'no-shows'?when vaccination recipients do not show up at the site?vaccinations will be carried out according to a standby list prepared by each center. First, vaccinations will be given to elderly people in nearby areas, and if that is not possible, support staff within the center will receive the vaccine on the same day.

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