"Waited for Pfizer and Moderna"... 3040 Hesitate Over Side Effects of 'AZ Leftover Vaccines'

AZ leftover vaccines available for those aged 30 and above
Concerns over thrombocytopenic thrombosis syndrome (TTS) occurrence

Medical staff are administering vaccines to citizens at the vaccination center.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Following the quarantine authorities' decision on the 13th to lower the eligible age for AstraZeneca (AZ) COVID-19 vaccination from '50 and older' to '30 and older,' people in their 30s and 40s are facing dilemmas in choosing vaccines.

According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, starting from the 17th, individuals aged 30 and above who wish to get vaccinated can receive the AZ vaccine by making same-day reservations for leftover vaccines through social networking services (SNS) such as Naver or Kakao.

Previously, due to concerns over the rare blood clotting disorder called 'thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS)' after vaccination, the authorities recommended AZ vaccination only for those aged 30 and above since April and for those in their 50s and older since July. However, considering the fourth wave, the spread of the Delta variant, and the disposal of leftover vaccines, they decided on the 13th to lower the vaccination age limit for leftover vaccines only.

Status and Plans for Vaccine Introduction.
Photo by COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team

In response to this news, some netizens expressed somewhat critical views, saying things like, "Who would choose AZ when Pfizer is available?" "Are young people being used as test subjects?" "Don't get vaccinated. It's risky for people in their 30s," and "Is it just about increasing the vaccination rate?"

On the other hand, among some people in their 30s who have already received the AZ vaccine domestically, there are reactions such as "It was okay after getting vaccinated." Mr. A, a flight attendant in his 30s who received the first AZ vaccine dose in mid-April, explained, "It was better than I expected," adding, "My colleagues who received the AZ vaccine together complained of chills, cold sweats, and fatigue accompanied by muscle pain, but there were no major issues."

The Korean Medical Association's COVID-19 Countermeasures Expert Committee expressed serious concerns on the 17th about the difference between the absolute recommended vaccination age and the age group given vaccination opportunities upon request. They added, "An analysis of the 'Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Adverse Reaction Report' announced by the Promotion Team on the 11th of this month shows that the risk of adverse events relative to preventive effects is comparatively higher for the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in those under 50 than for other vaccines."

Professor Jeong Ki-seok of Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital's Department of Respiratory Medicine said, "Allowing people to apply for leftover vaccines if they want means that each individual must bear the risk," adding, "I understand the decision was made to avoid wasting vaccines, but the constantly changing criteria inevitably cause public anxiety."

He added, "Since AZ is a vaccine proven effective for those aged 18 and older through clinical trials, healthy men in their 30s and 40s can get vaccinated. However, it is recommended that young women of childbearing age avoid it."

Professor Cheon Eun-mi of Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital's Department of Respiratory Medicine stated, "Rather than getting the AZ vaccine immediately, if you have made a prior reservation, it would be better to wait for your scheduled time and receive Pfizer or Moderna," adding, "Since the interval between AZ doses is longer, the completion time is ultimately similar. There seems to be no need to choose AZ, which carries concerns about rare blood clots."

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

Meanwhile, adenovirus vector vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Janssen can rarely cause 'thrombocytopenia with thrombosis syndrome' or 'Guillain-Barr? syndrome' after vaccination.

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