Amid Numerous Vaccine Misadministrations... Authorities Strengthen Measures to Prevent Nonpayment of Vaccination Implementation Fees (Update)

Additional Attachment of Expiration Date Sticker
Cross-Verification of Expiration Date by Health Center and Vaccination Institution

Re-vaccination for Vaccines Past Expiration Date
"Re-vaccinate by Observing Minimum Interval for Each Vaccine"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The government has decided to attach additional stickers indicating the post-thaw expiration date not only on the outside but also on the inside and sides of the subdivided COVID-19 vaccine boxes at vaccination centers to make it easier to check the vaccine's validity period. In addition, the COVID-19 vaccination information system will be improved so that the expiration dates of each vaccine can be cross-checked at public health centers and vaccination institutions. Vaccines nearing their expiration date can be used as leftover vaccines regardless of whether they have been opened.

The COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team announced on the 10th the "Measures to Prevent Vaccination with Expired Vaccines," which include these details. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines can be administered up to 31 days and 30 days, respectively, from the day the frozen vaccine is thawed. This measure was taken following recent cases where vaccinations were administered past these expiration dates.

Kwon Jun-wook, the 2nd Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at the COVID-19 regular briefing that "For cases of misadministration involving expired vaccines, vaccination implementation fees will not be paid, and local governments have been instructed to take administrative actions such as warnings and termination of consignment contracts against the vaccination institutions that committed misadministration." He added, "Vaccination centers will verify the type and expiration date of the vaccines administered on the day and post a 'Today's Vaccine' notice in waiting rooms and vaccination rooms starting from the 13th so that vaccine recipients can easily recognize it."

Furthermore, if a vaccine past its expiration date has been administered, re-vaccination will be conducted while observing the minimum interval between doses for each vaccine. However, if it is uncertain whether misadministration occurred, re-vaccination is recommended, but even if the vaccine recipient refuses, the vaccination record will still be recognized.

Regarding the recent consecutive cases of misadministration involving a first dose of Moderna followed by a second dose of AstraZeneca (AZ), re-vaccination is not recommended. Kwon Geun-yong, head of the Vaccination Implementation Management Team at the Promotion Team, explained, "The combination of first dose Moderna and second dose AZ vaccine is currently not an approved mixed vaccination case," and added, "According to the COVID-19 vaccination implementation standards, re-vaccination is not recommended in cases of unapproved mixed vaccination due to negligence." However, he noted, "We are reviewing detailed plans regarding additional doses such as booster shots, which are not considered second doses."

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