'Microorganisms in Vaccines', 'Shedding Phenomenon'... Growing Anxiety Over Spreading Vaccine Rumors

Daegu Dog Kindergarten, "Recently Increased 'Shedding Phenomenon' Leads to Ban on Vaccinated Visitors"
189 Fake News Cases Related to COVID-19 from January to September Last Year... 293 People Arrested

On the afternoon of the 10th, medical staff at the Dongshin Hospital Vaccination Center in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, are organizing syringes containing the Moderna vaccine for the additional dose (booster shot). [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] As the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (booster shot) is being administered, various rumors surrounding the vaccine are once again spreading widely. These fake news stories are rapidly disseminated through social networking services (SNS), increasing anxiety related to the vaccine. The government has announced legal measures to respond to vaccine rumors.

Recently, a 'vaccine microorganism rumor' claiming that live microorganisms exist in the vaccine has emerged. This was triggered at a press conference held in front of the Government Seoul Office Building on the 13th. At the press conference hosted by 67 organizations including the National Parents' Association (Jeonhakyeon), a person identified as a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, Mr. Lee, claimed, "A large number of unidentified microorganisms have been found in the vaccine culture fluid."

He further stated, "Vaccinations should be halted not only for children and adolescents but for all citizens until the exact components of the vaccine are identified." The event was broadcast live on YouTube, and these remarks spread through SNS.

Alongside this, a 'vaccine futility theory' has also appeared, fueling distrust by claiming that the vaccine does not work properly. On the 29th of last month, Professor Wangjae Lee, Emeritus Professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine, stated in an interview with a media outlet, "Even if you get vaccinated 100 times, antibodies remain in the blood, but there is no way to block the COVID-19 virus, which directly infects epithelial cells through the air."

Vaccine rumors have surfaced multiple times in the past and have been widespread worldwide. The U.S. economic magazine Forbes introduced fake news related to vaccines in an article titled "Microchips, Magnets, Contagion: 5 COVID Vaccine Conspiracy Theories Spreading Online." Some have even raised the 'shedding phenomenon,' claiming that vaccinated individuals release virus particles that cause headaches and itching in people around them.

On the 23rd of last month in Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, a man posted flyers around the city with the words "COVID is a scam, vaccines are poison" and images of syringes containing poison, prompting a police investigation. In March, a pastor at a church in Daejeon was arrested for aiding and abetting violations of outdoor advertising regulations by producing and distributing flyers containing messages such as "The chip inserted in the vaccine will cause you to lose your life," along with vaccination photos and unknown chip images, and allowing church members to post them on the streets.

According to data received by Yang Gidae, a member of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, from the National Police Agency on October 5, there were 189 cases related to COVID-19 fake news from January last year to September this year. Among them, 293 people were arrested. Spreading fake news that causes anxiety about vaccines can result in imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won under the Telecommunications Business Act.

A dog daycare center in Daegu announced that it will completely restrict access to vaccinated individuals, citing the "shedding phenomenon." Photo by Mo Dog Daycare Instagram

Recently, a dog daycare center has sparked debate by imposing restrictions on vaccinated individuals due to the shedding phenomenon. A dog daycare center in Daegu announced its intention to completely ban entry to vaccinated individuals due to concerns about vaccine side effects and the 'shedding phenomenon.' The daycare also posted a notice offering a 50% discount on tuition fees for unvaccinated individuals.

Netizens' reactions to this are divided. Some netizens welcomed it, saying, "It's great to see discrimination against unvaccinated people for a change. I must go," "I'm vaccinated, but I support the owner's conviction," and "In the current social atmosphere, this kind of expression is new and good." On the other hand, others criticized it, saying, "This is nonsense," "I heard there are vaccine conspiracy theorists, but I didn't expect them to be so blatant," and "Reverse thinking is good, but this is not right."

In response, the government announced that it will cooperate with the cyber investigation unit and the police to respond strictly. Hong Jeongik, head of the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Team's Vaccination Management Team, explained, "The claim that microorganisms were found inside the vaccine is nothing but a rumor," adding, "If such a thing were true, it would be a pharmaceutical safety issue that the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety should address."

Regarding the 'vaccine futility theory,' he stated, "There are globally published research papers showing that vaccination has infection prevention effects as well as prevention of severe illness and death," emphasizing, "Scientific data is being accumulated in various countries through post-vaccination effectiveness observations." He also pointed out, "The vaccine futility theory must be argued based on scientific methodology to be persuasive."

He added, "Fake news and conspiracy theories about vaccines that spread indiscriminately through SNS are being monitored and deleted, or strictly dealt with through reporting and legal action depending on the content."

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