Health Authorities: "No Death Cases Proven to be Causally Linked Yet... Please Do Not Have Excessive Anxiety"

Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (Director of the National Institute of Health) [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Amid ongoing reports of deaths following COVID-19 vaccination, health authorities have repeatedly emphasized the need to wait for a scientific and objective accurate evaluation, as there have been no globally confirmed cases of causality between the vaccine and death.

On the afternoon of the 4th, Kwon Jun-wook, the 2nd Deputy Head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), stated at a regular briefing, "Determining the causality between individual causes of death and vaccination requires in-depth investigation and rigorous medical and scientific analysis, which takes a certain amount of time," adding, "Until a scientific and objective and accurate evaluation is available, please refrain from expressions that may be misunderstood as indicating a direct link between vaccination and death."

He continued, "During periods when adverse reaction reports increase, the production of false or manipulated information that causes anxiety about vaccines must never occur," emphasizing again that such actions "are absolutely unacceptable as they practically hinder vaccination for those who truly need it."

As of today, a total of five deaths following COVID-19 vaccination have been reported domestically. One severe adverse reaction case suspected to be anaphylactic shock has also been reported. In total, 718 adverse reaction reports, including mild cases, have been received. Particularly, with death cases reported for two consecutive days after vaccination, anxiety about the vaccine is rapidly spreading.

On the morning of the 27th of last month, COVID-19 medical staff who received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are waiting in the observation room at the Central Vaccination Center of the National Medical Center in Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Deputy Head Kwon acknowledged, "I understand that anxiety is high due to reports of adverse reactions to vaccination," but stressed, "Vaccinations are currently underway in more than 100 countries worldwide, with over 260 million doses already administered," and insisted that apart from anaphylaxis, no other severe adverse reaction reports or deaths with confirmed causality have been identified so far.

He urged, "Please do not be excessively anxious," adding, "Excellent medical staff conduct thorough pre-screening, and severe adverse reactions mostly occur within 15 to 30 minutes after vaccination, so monitoring symptoms according to guidance is sufficient," repeatedly emphasizing not to harbor anxiety about the vaccine.