'Husband of Nursing Assistant with AZ Vaccine-Induced Quadriplegia Petitions... Moon Calls for "Warm Comfort and Support"'

Paralyzed Care Assistant Husband: "It Would Be Smarter to Catch COVID"
Moon: "Regrettable Situation... Must Do Our Best to Identify the Cause"

A petition titled "I am the husband of a nursing assistant who developed limb paralysis after receiving the AZ vaccine" posted on the Blue House National Petition Board on the 20th. Photo by Blue House National Petition Board

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] The story of a nursing assistant who developed paralysis in her limbs after receiving the AstraZeneca (AZ) COVID-19 vaccine has drawn sympathy. President Moon Jae-in ordered a review of support measures such as medical expense assistance, stating that "warm consolation is needed" for the nursing assistant.

On the 20th, a petition titled "I am the husband of a nursing assistant who developed paralysis in her limbs after receiving the AZ vaccine" was posted on the Blue House's public petition board.

The petitioner explained, "My wife, a healthcare worker, was prioritized for vaccination and therefore had no choice to refuse the vaccine or select which vaccine to receive. After getting the AZ vaccine, she trusted the government's words and continued working while taking painkillers, hoping she would get better. However, 19 days after vaccination, on March 31, she developed paralysis in her limbs and was hospitalized."

He continued, "Looking back, there were prodromal symptoms three to four days before hospitalization, but due to insufficient government information on side effects, we did not recognize them." His wife was diagnosed with "acute disseminated encephalomyelitis." Upon meeting the attending physician, he was told that treatment and rehabilitation would take six months to a year, and there was a possibility of permanent disability. It felt like the sky was falling," he revealed.

AstraZeneca (AZ) COVID-19 vaccine. Photo by Yonhap News

The petitioner expressed anger, saying, "How can an ordinary person afford treatment and nursing care costs of 4 million won per week? The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency only conducted an investigation and then went silent. No one reassured the victim. When calling the Disease Control Agency, they are redirected to the city hall civil service office, and when calling the city hall, they are sent to the district health center. The more calls I made, the angrier I became."

He added, "I began to question, 'Ah, it would have been wiser not to get vaccinated and just catch COVID-19.' I trusted the country and got vaccinated, but what I received in return is a punishment too great for an individual to bear. The sense of betrayal is indescribable. I believed the president's words that 'the vaccine is safe and the government will take responsibility for side effects.' Is there really a country?" he lamented.

Earlier, a female nursing assistant in her 40s working at a hospital in Gyeonggi Province was diagnosed on the 19th of this month with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, an immune response-related disease, after receiving the AZ vaccine on the 12th of last month.

She experienced headaches for a week immediately after vaccination, complained of diplopia (double vision) on the 24th, and by the 31st, showed symptoms of limb paralysis. She is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital.

In response, President Moon instructed on the 21st to review support measures for the nursing assistant. Blue House spokesperson Park Kyung-mi stated in a written briefing that President Moon said, "Warm consolation is needed for the nursing assistant's unfortunate situation," and "relevant authorities should visit her directly to assess the situation and alleviate her difficulties."

President Moon added, "It will take time to establish a medical causal relationship, but apart from that, we must carefully ensure that possible measures such as medical expense support under government assistance programs are implemented promptly," and asked to "do their best to identify the cause."

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