Can the 'Vaccine Anxiety' Be Resolved... Launch of the Vaccine Safety Committee

On the 8th, when the additional COVID-19 vaccination (booster shot) began for Janssen vaccine recipients and inpatients, residents, and workers of nursing hospitals and nursing facilities, medical staff at Yonsei With ENT Clinic in Seocho-gu, Seoul, are preparing for the additional vaccination. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] An independent organization specializing in investigating adverse reactions after COVID-19 vaccination is being launched.

The National Academy of Medicine of Korea announced on the 12th that it will establish the "COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Committee" to intensively investigate cases of adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccination occurring domestically.

The newly launched Safety Committee plans to evaluate the causality between COVID-19 vaccines and domestic adverse reaction cases to establish scientific evidence. It will also comprehensively review vaccine safety through investigation and research status of adverse reactions abroad. The purpose is to proactively respond to adverse reactions and alleviate social anxiety.

Park Byung-joo, chairman of the COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Committee, is announcing the committee's composition and implementation plan at the committee inauguration ceremony. (Photo by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency)

The chairperson will be Park Byung-joo, Vice President of the National Academy of Medicine. Three subcommittees on epidemiology, clinical matters, and communication will be formed, and 11 divisions by topic will be organized, appointing a total of 22 members. Additionally, an expert advisory group in the form of a pool of specialists will be established and operated.

The Safety Committee will undertake ▲ review of domestic and international trends and literature on causality after COVID-19 vaccination ▲ analysis of domestic disease, death, COVID-19 vaccination, and adverse reaction data ▲ periodic analysis of adverse reaction reports and monitoring data ▲ presentation of scientific evidence to review causality between vaccination and major domestic post-vaccination health issues ▲ regular forums and communication with experts and the public.

Chairperson Park Byung-joo stated, "To establish scientific and objective evidence for causality evaluation of adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines, we will review overseas research results and conduct studies analyzing domestic vaccination data, adverse reaction reports, medical information, and death data from Statistics Korea," adding, "We will strive to provide accurate information to the public." He also said, "It is not desirable to implement government policies without scientific evidence," and added, "This committee will serve as a precedent for listening to and reflecting scholars' opinions."

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