Hospitalization Due to Adverse Reactions After Vaccination or 'Insufficient Causality' Also Exempt from Quarantine Pass

Visitors are checking in with QR codes at the Lotte Department Store Main Branch in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Even if a person was hospitalized due to adverse reactions after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine or was judged to have "insufficient evidence of causality" after applying for compensation from health authorities, they will still be recognized as an exception to the vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system (vaccine pass). This measure is interpreted as considering that such individuals may be reluctant to receive the 2nd or 3rd doses.

On the 24th, the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced that from this day forward, the scope of exceptions to the vaccine pass will be expanded. Until now, except for those who completed the 2nd or 3rd vaccination, tested negative by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or were youths under 18 years old, only the following were recognized as exceptions to the vaccine pass: ▲ those released from quarantine after confirmed COVID-19 infection ▲ those who had severe adverse reactions such as anaphylaxis after the 1st dose and had their 2nd dose delayed or prohibited ▲ those who need to delay vaccination due to immunodeficiency or administration of immunosuppressants or anticancer drugs ▲ those contraindicated for vaccination due to a history of severe allergy to vaccine components.

From today, those who reported adverse reactions after vaccination but were judged by the Vaccination Injury Investigation Team or the Compensation Expert Committee as having "insufficient evidence of causality," or those who were hospitalized within 6 weeks after vaccination due to adverse reactions, will also be included as exceptions.

In cases of a judgment of insufficient evidence of causality, without any separate procedures or submission of supporting documents, users can receive an electronic exception confirmation certificate by updating or issuing their vaccination records on the COOV application or electronic entry platforms such as Kakao or Naver. If a paper certificate is desired, one can apply by visiting a public health center.

If hospitalized due to adverse reactions, to issue an exception confirmation certificate, submitting a hospitalization confirmation and a medical certificate stating "hospitalized due to adverse reactions after COVID-19 vaccination" to the public health center will allow electronic registration as an exception to the vaccine pass. Afterwards, the individual can update the COOV app or electronic entry platforms or receive a paper certificate from the public health center and use the vaccine pass accordingly, the same as those judged with insufficient evidence of causality.

The CDCH stated, "However, recognition of exceptions does not imply causality between vaccination and adverse reactions, nor does it indicate the necessity of compensation or contraindication to vaccination. Even if an exception confirmation certificate is issued, it does not mean the person is contraindicated for vaccination. We urge individuals to promptly complete their vaccination considering their health status."

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