COVID-19 Vaccine Causes Leukemia? Government Says "No Evidence, Please Get Vaccinated Without Worry" (Update)

Hematology Society: "Leukemia Occurrence Shortly After Vaccination Contradicts Existing Theories"
Despite Concerns Over Abnormal Bleeding... Authorities Say "Cases Reported Domestically but Causality Uncertain"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Experts have analyzed that there is no causal relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and leukemia. The government disclosed these academic advisory results and encouraged, "Concerns about leukemia occurrence after vaccination are unnecessary, so please participate in vaccination considering your personal health condition."

On the 2nd, Jo Eun-hee, head of the Safety Vaccination Management Team of the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, said at the regular COVID-19 briefing, "According to the Korean Society of Hematology's advisory results, there is no evidence so far that COVID-19 vaccines cause or trigger leukemia," adding, "The society stated that the occurrence of leukemia shortly after vaccination does not align with existing theories, and there have been no reports of causality between COVID-19 vaccines or influenza vaccines and leukemia."

The Korean Society of Hematology judged that the occurrence of acute myeloid leukemia several days to months after COVID-19 vaccination is theoretically inconsistent. Kim Jin-seok, academic director of the Korean Society of Hematology, explained, "Known causes of acute myeloid leukemia include some genetic predispositions, carcinogens such as benzene, and toxic substances like anticancer drugs, but in most cases, the cause is unknown. Among these, anticancer drugs, whose cause and latency period are well known, have been reported to cause acute myeloid leukemia several years after exposure."

He continued, "In Korea, about 3,500 leukemia patients are diagnosed annually, and even for acute myeloid leukemia alone, several patients are newly diagnosed daily," adding, "Given that the entire population is receiving COVID-19 vaccines, there is sufficient possibility of misinterpreting the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia after vaccination as being caused by the vaccine, depending on the order of diagnosis and vaccination."

Currently, there are no overseas literature reports that COVID-19 vaccines cause or trigger leukemia. Director Kim emphasized, "Although various side effects have been reported since the start of vaccination, there are no foreign literature reports on leukemia," and "Even looking at data reported by experts gathered at the American Association for the Advancement of Science on vaccine side effects, there are no reports that existing vaccines cause cancer."

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety also stated, "The number of domestic adverse reaction reports related to acute leukemia is very minimal, and causality with vaccines has not been proven in the US, Europe, and other countries so far," adding, "We will continuously monitor domestic adverse reaction cases and overseas measures and take safety actions if necessary."

Additionally, cases of menstrual disorders such as abnormal bleeding related to recent COVID-19 vaccination have been reported. So far, a total of 18 cases of vaccine adverse reactions related to menstrual disorders have been reported domestically. However, authorities explain that causality has not been clearly established. Oh Jung-won, director of the Pharmaceutical Safety Evaluation Division at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, said, "In overseas cases, as of the 18th of last month in the UK, 32,455 cases of various menstrual disorders such as vaginal bleeding or menstrual irregularities have been reported."

Jo said, "Abnormalities in menstruation have various causes such as stress, fatigue, thyroid disease, uterine fibroids, and reactions to various medications," adding, "We will thoroughly monitor related foreign literature and strengthen monitoring of adverse reactions occurring domestically."

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