[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City on the 25th urged vaccine recipients to take precautions ahead of the COVID-19 vaccination starting on the 26th.
One day before vaccination, recipients should confirm the scheduled vaccination location and time, maintain good health, and must undergo a medical examination by a doctor before vaccination.
If there is a history of allergies to medications (such as bowel cleansers), cosmetics, food, or other types of vaccines, it must be detailed on the medical questionnaire.
If severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis (symptoms including shock, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, swelling of lips or mouth, severe hives all over the body) occur during the first dose or due to components of the COVID-19 vaccine, vaccination should not be administered.
If COVID-19 infection is suspected or if there are acute symptoms such as fever (37.5℃ or higher), vaccination should be postponed.
The interval between the first and second doses of each COVID-19 vaccine must be strictly observed, and the same vaccine should be used for both doses. Other infectious disease vaccinations should be spaced at least 14 days apart from the COVID-19 vaccination.
To monitor and manage adverse reactions after vaccination, all recipients must remain at the vaccination site for 15 to 30 minutes after vaccination to observe for any adverse reactions, and continue careful observation for at least 3 hours after returning home.
A minimum observation period of 15 minutes is required, but if there is a prior history of severe allergic reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) caused by other factors such as medications, food, or injections, observation should be extended to 30 minutes.
The injection site should always be kept clean, and special attention should be paid for at least 3 days after vaccination. If high fever or unusual physical symptoms occur, medical consultation should be sought immediately.
For elderly individuals, it is recommended that they are not left alone after vaccination so that assistance can be provided if symptoms develop.
After COVID-19 vaccination, local reactions such as pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site, and systemic reactions such as fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, nausea, or vomiting may occur. However, these common adverse reactions usually resolve within a few days (3 days).
Applying a cold towel to the injection site can help relieve pain or swelling, and taking pain relievers may be helpful for systemic symptoms such as muscle pain or fatigue.
However, if allergic symptoms such as hives, rash, or swelling of the face or hands appear, or if a high fever of 39℃ or above or other adverse reactions interfere significantly with daily life, medical attention should be sought. In cases of severe allergic reactions (such as anaphylaxis), immediate contact with emergency services (119) or visiting the nearest emergency room is necessary.
Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) after vaccination are very rare but occur within minutes after vaccination and progress rapidly, making medical management and response critical.
Gwangju City is preparing for rapid response by conducting thorough pre-vaccination medical examinations to identify individuals at risk of anaphylaxis, providing pre-education to medical personnel for emergency treatment in case of adverse reactions during the 15 to 30 minutes observation period after vaccination.
Additionally, vaccination sites and emergency medical institutions are equipped with emergency medications such as epinephrine, and a systematic response system has been established in cooperation with the Fire Agency to ensure emergency transport of patients experiencing adverse reactions.
If adverse reactions are suspected, symptoms can be checked and guidance on how to respond is available on the COVID-19 Vaccination Helper website under ‘Check Health Status After Vaccination (QR code provided).’
Medical institutions that treat adverse reactions after vaccination report them through the COVID-19 Vaccination Management System, and vaccine recipients (or their guardians) can report adverse reactions via the Vaccination Helper website.
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