Formation of the 'Vaccine Safety Committee'... Up to 30 Million Won Support for Adverse Reactions and Insufficient Causality

On the morning of the 26th, a citizen is receiving a vaccine at the COVID-19 vaccination center set up at the Mapo-gu Community Sports Center in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] While 3.5 million adults still have not received the COVID-19 vaccine, the government's compensation system for adverse reactions after vaccination, considered one of the main causes, will be further strengthened.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Task Force (Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency), stated at the COVID-19 regular briefing on the 28th, "We will alleviate public anxiety about adverse reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine and strengthen the review of vaccine safety," adding, "We will establish and operate the 'COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Committee' centered on the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences, the leading institution of medical scholars in Korea."

The Safety Committee will analyze domestic adverse reaction reports and review the status of overseas adverse reaction investigations and research. Based on the scientific evidence prepared through this, they plan to establish causality evaluation criteria and strengthen communication with the medical community and the public.

Measures to enhance the objectivity and independence of the vaccination injury compensation review will also be pursued. Director Jung said, "We will replace government members of the Vaccination Injury Compensation Expert Committee with private vaccine experts." Through this, the number of private experts will increase from one to three. Additionally, an advisory team composed of experts in various fields will be operated to conduct thorough reviews of appeals regarding compensation claims.

Medical expense support for patients judged to have insufficient evidence of causality will be maintained next year, and the support limit will be raised from the existing 1 million KRW to 30 million KRW. These related measures will also be applied retroactively to patients with previous adverse reactions. The task force plans to finalize consultations with relevant ministries soon and confirm the final decision through the National Assembly budget review.

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