Authorities Begin Discussions to Resume AstraZeneca Vaccine Inoculations

President Moon Jae-in received the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at the Jongno-gu Public Health Center in Seoul on the 23rd of last month. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Discussions to resume the administration of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which was temporarily suspended for those under 60 due to the risk of blood clots, will take place over the weekend. Although a link between blood clot occurrences and the vaccine has been recognized overseas, including in Europe, analyses suggest that continuing vaccination is necessary, making the decision to resume vaccinations highly likely.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) stated on the 8th, "The European Medicines Agency (EMA) reaffirmed its previous position that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh the risks," adding, "We will decide on resuming vaccinations after expert consultations, including a blood clot specialist advisory meeting."

On the 7th (local time), EMA announced the review results regarding the causality between the AstraZeneca vaccine and certain rare blood clot occurrences. EMA stated that very rare thrombotic events accompanied by thrombocytopenia, such as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) and splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT), which may occur after vaccination, should be considered adverse reactions to the vaccine. They also emphasized the need for awareness, early detection, and prompt response by both vaccine recipients and healthcare providers.

However, EMA reconfirmed that since the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks, it is necessary to continue administering the AstraZeneca vaccine. The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) expressed the same stance. However, they advised caution when vaccinating specific high-risk groups related to blood clots and recommended consulting healthcare professionals in situations with elevated clotting risk, such as pregnancy.

Accordingly, the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team plans to carefully review these domestic and international trends and adverse event occurrences and decide on resuming AstraZeneca vaccine administration over the weekend.

Previously, based on the results of the COVID-19 vaccine expert advisory meeting, the Promotion Team temporarily suspended or postponed AstraZeneca vaccinations for special education, childcare, and health teachers as a preventive measure. As a result, vaccinations for approximately 180,000 people (▲14,2202 postponed ▲38,771 suspended) have been delayed.

The Promotion Team plans to announce their decision after discussions with the blood clot expert advisory group, vaccine expert advisory group, and the Vaccination Specialist Committee over the weekend. The blood clot expert advisory meeting is scheduled for today.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Vaccination Response Promotion Team, said, "We will prioritize ‘safety’ and ‘scientific evidence’ in vaccination," adding, "Since vaccinations were suspended as a preventive measure, we will fully gather expert opinions and announce scientifically sound and safe results."