Sung Si-kyung: "Vaccine Anxiety Is Not a Bad Thing" Amid Repeated Vaccine Accidents... Citizens Feel 'Anxious'

Citizens Anxious Over Vaccine Side Effects and Misadministration Issues
Experts Say "Vaccination Is Not the Best but the Second Best Option"

Singer Sung Si-kyung said on his YouTube channel live broadcast on the 1st that people who are anxious or have negative feelings about vaccines should not be thought of badly. Photo by Sung Si-kyung YouTube capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Concerns about vaccination are growing due to cases where individuals developed leukemia and died after receiving vaccines, as well as recent incidents of administering vaccines past their expiration dates.

Adding to this, singer Seong Si-kyung, a public figure with significant influence, has urged against unconditional criticism of those who choose not to get vaccinated, sparking ongoing conflicts surrounding the issue. Experts acknowledge that concerns about vaccine side effects are understandable but emphasize that vaccination is essential in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the 1st, during a live broadcast on his YouTube channel, Seong said regarding vaccine concerns, "It is absolutely not wrong to be doubtful, anxious, and to deliberate," adding, "I don't think we should force sacrifices for the greater good."

He continued, "Why would there be resistance to the vaccine? It's a matter of control," and said, "Lately, there seems to be a mood trying to paint this negatively, but we need an atmosphere where everyone can talk about why resistance arises. When groups of curious people emerge, it is important to explain, help them understand, and give them confidence."

As Seong mentioned, the number of citizens expressing concerns about vaccination is increasing. Cases of people developing acute leukemia or other illnesses and dying after vaccination have been repeatedly posted on the Blue House's national petition site, and controversies have arisen over administering vaccines past their expiration dates.

At Seoul Korea University Guro Hospital, between the 26th and 27th of last month, more than 140 people were vaccinated with Pfizer vaccines that were either close to or past the recommended administration period after being thawed from refrigeration. The vaccines administered during this period had expiration dates of the 20th or 26th of last month.

Additionally, at a general hospital in Ulsan, from the 26th of last month to the 2nd of this month, a total of 91 people received Pfizer vaccines that expired on the 25th. Earlier, on the 12th and 13th of last month, a medical institution in Cheongju, Chungbuk, was found to have administered Pfizer vaccines to 10 residents at doses 5 to 6 times higher than the standard amount. These incidents inevitably increase anxiety about vaccination.

Citizens' anxiety about vaccine misadministration is growing.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim, a worker in his 30s, said, "There are stories of people dying after vaccination, so how can anyone not feel anxious?" and raised his voice, "Is it wrong to feel fear about vaccination?"

Despite the situation, experts emphasize the importance of vaccination. On the 3rd, Professor Jeong Jae-hoon of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Gachon University College of Medicine posted on his Facebook, saying, "It is natural to have questions about vaccine efficacy and side effects, and providing sufficient explanations is important. Seong Si-kyung's remarks were not wrong," but added, "I am somewhat concerned about the impact such statements might have."

Professor Jeong explained, "Still, vaccines are the unavoidable option. Vaccination may not be the best, but I believe it is the next best choice," adding, "Vaccination is not 100% safe, but the likelihood of adverse reactions is extremely low. Vaccines do not completely prevent COVID-19, but they prevent almost all deaths. Numerous scientists worldwide are evaluating the effectiveness and safety of vaccines."

While emphasizing the responsibility of expert groups to investigate causes of vaccine-related harm, Professor Jeong said, "What Seong Si-kyung said is a natural and necessary consideration, but for some people, it becomes a basis, and for others, a source of controversy," and asked, "Please help just a little more."

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