1006 Vaccine Adverse Reactions Increased Over Three Days... 8 Deaths↑, Causality Unconfirmed (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] The number of reported adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccination in South Korea increased by 1,006 cases over three days.

According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team on the 22nd, 1,006 new cases of adverse reactions were reported to health authorities between the 19th and 21st after receiving the vaccine. Adverse reaction report statistics are announced three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

The number of death reports increased by eight. Three deaths were reported on the 20th and five on the 21st. Among the deceased, seven had received the Pfizer vaccine, and one had received the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine. There were three males and five females, with one in their 90s, three in their 80s, three in their 70s, and one in their 50s. Causality has not been confirmed.

The deceased in their 50s was a 51-year-old female director of a nursing home in Chuncheon, Gangwon-do. She received her first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine on the 30th of last month and exhibited symptoms such as chills, difficulty breathing, and hives on the 16th of this month. She was transferred to a hospital and passed away on the 20th. Among the eight deceased, five were found to have underlying health conditions. Investigations are ongoing for the remaining three.

The time from vaccination to death ranged from 5 to 20 days. Nine additional suspected cases of anaphylaxis, a severe systemic allergic reaction, were reported. Of these, eight involved Pfizer vaccine recipients. There were 75 new reports of major adverse reactions, including "special interest adverse reactions," ICU admissions, life-threatening conditions, permanent disabilities, and sequelae. The remaining 914 cases involved common post-vaccination symptoms such as muscle pain, headache, fever, chills, and nausea.

Since vaccinations began on February 26 in South Korea, a total of 24,130 suspected adverse reaction reports have been filed. As of midnight on this day, this represents about 0.44% of the 5,495,098 cumulative first and second dose recipients nationwide.

Reports related to the AstraZeneca vaccine total 18,513, while those related to the Pfizer vaccine total 5,617. The adverse reaction reporting rate relative to cumulative vaccinations is 0.81% for AstraZeneca and 0.17% for Pfizer. Death reports after vaccination total 148 (88 Pfizer, 60 AstraZeneca). Including cases initially reported with other symptoms that later worsened to death, the total is 201.

Suspected anaphylaxis cases total 209 (154 AstraZeneca, 55 Pfizer). Major adverse reaction suspected cases total 765, with 401 for AstraZeneca and 364 for Pfizer.

Of all adverse reaction reports, 95.3% (23,008 cases) were relatively mild cases commonly occurring after vaccination, such as muscle pain, headache, fever, chills, and nausea.

Meanwhile, as of midnight on the 22nd, 13,674 people received their first dose of the vaccine newly. This brings the total number of people who have completed the first dose to 3,787,570, with 2,061,032 having received the AstraZeneca vaccine and 1,726,538 the Pfizer vaccine. Newly administered second doses numbered 221,916, bringing the total number of people who have completed the second dose to 1,707,528.

From this day, new first-dose Pfizer vaccinations for those aged 75 and older and elderly facility users, residents, and workers have resumed at 263 nationwide vaccination centers. The new first-dose vaccination target includes 1,985,922 people aged 75 and older and 24,285 elderly facility users, residents, and workers, totaling 2,010,207 people.

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