First Death Case After Pfizer Vaccination in Busan... 80s Without Underlying Conditions Dies Within a Week

Health Authorities Investigate Vaccine Causality; Up to 10 Million Won Compensation Even if Causality Is Insufficient

On the 3rd, medical staff were busy handling Pfizer vaccines at the COVID-19 vaccine storage center of the vaccination center in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] For the first time in Busan, a case of death after receiving the Pfizer vaccine has occurred, prompting health authorities to investigate the causal relationship. The deceased person in their 80s was known to have underlying health conditions.

With this, the number of deaths after vaccination in Busan has increased to six cases. This is the first case of death after receiving the Pfizer vaccine.

According to Busan City on the 14th, an individual in their 80s who received the Pfizer vaccine on the 28th of last month passed away on the 5th, one week later. Busan City explained that this person had underlying health conditions.

Busan City is conducting an investigation into the cause of death of the person in their 80s and the causal relationship with the vaccine.

When reports of adverse vaccine reactions and applications for damage compensation are received, the relevant public health center conducts a primary investigation, followed by an epidemiological investigation and a government damage compensation committee investigation, which ultimately determines the causal relationship with the vaccine and proceeds with the compensation process.

The government recently announced that if severe adverse reactions occur after COVID-19 vaccination, it will provide up to 10 million KRW in national medical expenses even if the causal relationship with the vaccine is insufficient.

Busan City plans to provide additional support of up to 10 million KRW if treatment costs exceed the government support funds.

In Busan, there have been five suspected severe adverse vaccine reaction cases and seven suspected anaphylaxis cases reported.