Under 30, opting for Pfizer over Moderna... "Considering the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis"

AstraZeneca Vaccinations to End This Year... Cross-Vaccination with Pfizer Starting Next Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jung] The government has recommended that those under 30 receive the primary vaccination with the Pfizer vaccine instead of Moderna. For those under 30 who received the first dose with the Moderna vaccine, it is recommended to receive the second dose with the Pfizer vaccine.

On the 17th, the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team announced that after deliberation by the Vaccination Expert Committee the previous day, considering European data showing a higher incidence of myocarditis and pericarditis with the Moderna vaccine compared to the Pfizer vaccine, they recommend the primary vaccination for those under 30 be with the Pfizer vaccine instead of Moderna as a precautionary safety measure.

Additional doses using the Moderna vaccine are half the amount of the primary doses, so vaccination is possible for those aged 18 and older. Choi Eun-hwa, chair of the Vaccination Expert Committee, explained, "The amount of messenger RNA (mRNA) in the Moderna booster dose is half that of the primary dose, similar to the Pfizer vaccine (30㎎), and there is no evidence that the risk of myocarditis or pericarditis increases with the booster dose."

As of the 6th, a total of 12.41 million Moderna vaccine doses have been administered domestically (6.6 million first doses, 5.81 million second doses), of which 2.87 million doses were given to those under 30 (1.55 million first doses, 1.32 million second doses).

Reports of suspected myocarditis and pericarditis cases for the Moderna vaccine totaled 37 cases among those under 30, equating to 1.29 cases per 100,000 people. For Pfizer, 152 cases were reported among 11.04 million doses administered to those under 30, which is 1.38 cases per 100,000 people. Based on confirmed diagnoses of myocarditis and pericarditis, the incidence rate for those under 30 is 0.49 cases per 100,000 for Moderna and 0.45 cases per 100,000 for Pfizer, showing a slightly higher rate for Moderna.

International cases from countries such as Germany and France show that although rare, the incidence of myocarditis and pericarditis is higher with the Moderna vaccine in the under-30 age group, leading to an increasing trend of countries recommending Pfizer for primary vaccination in this age group. In France, the myocarditis and pericarditis incidence rate for the Pfizer vaccine was about 2.67 cases per 100,000, whereas for Moderna it was approximately 13.16 cases per 100,000, about 4.9 times higher.

Reflecting the recommendations of the Vaccination Expert Committee, the Promotion Team plans to restrict the use of the Moderna vaccine for primary vaccination (first and second doses) in those under 30 starting from the 18th, and will administer the Pfizer vaccine instead.

Meanwhile, the Promotion Team will gradually phase out vaccinations using the AstraZeneca vaccine considering the vaccine supply plan. First doses will be administered until the end of November, and second doses until the end of December.

The AstraZeneca vaccine has been administered at an average of less than 1,000 doses per day, mainly for second doses. However, the number of vaccinations is gradually decreasing.

The Promotion Team stated, "Second doses using the AstraZeneca vaccine will be available until December 31. For those who have second dose appointments scheduled with AstraZeneca after January 1 next year, regardless of age, cross-vaccination with the Pfizer vaccine will be conducted. Detailed information regarding vaccine and schedule changes will be provided via individual text messages."

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