On the First Day of COVID-19 Vaccination, 15 Adverse Reactions Reported... "Mild Symptoms Such as Headache and Fever" (Summary)

Report After AstraZeneca Vaccine Administration
First Pfizer Vaccine Dose Given That Day, No Adverse Reactions Reported So Far"

On the morning of the 26th, at the Geumcheon-gu Public Health Center in Seoul, COVID-19 vaccination candidates, including caregivers at elderly nursing centers, are undergoing pre-vaccination screening and other procedures for the first dose of the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine. Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] On the first day of COVID-19 vaccination in South Korea, the 26th, 15 adverse reactions were reported following AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine administration.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) as of midnight on the 27th, a total of 15 cases of adverse reactions were reported after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Specific adverse reactions included headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting, most of which were mild cases. These are common symptoms following vaccination, and the CDCH stated that causality between the adverse reactions and the vaccine has not been confirmed.

At the regular briefing that day, Jung Kyung-sil, head of the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Team’s Vaccination Management Division, explained, "The 15 adverse reactions that occurred yesterday were cases where slight dizziness, fever, or nausea appeared during the observation period after vaccination. Since they immediately received medical treatment and were confirmed to have no issues, they were judged to be 'mild.'"

However, Jung emphasized, "If a high fever above 39 degrees Celsius, hives, rash, or swelling of the face or hands occurs, it is necessary to visit a medical institution immediately to check for adverse reactions." The CDCH plans to conduct epidemiological investigations only for severe cases such as death or anaphylaxis (severe systemic allergic reaction) to provide an accurate diagnosis and confirm causality.

The total number of AstraZeneca vaccine recipients on the previous day was 18,489. By vaccination institution and target group, 13,929 were at nursing hospitals, 4,548 at nursing facilities, and 12 first responders received vaccinations.

Meanwhile, starting from this day, Pfizer vaccine administration began for medical staff and workers at COVID-19 treatment hospitals, and the CDCH explained that no adverse reaction reports have been received so far regarding this vaccine.