Increased 3,592 Cases of Adverse Reactions to COVID-19 Vaccines... Approximately 0.3% of Total Vaccinations

95% Mild Reactions Including Headache, Fever, and Muscle Pain

On the 26th, when the government announced plans to provide 'vaccine recipient incentives' to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates, elderly people were receiving COVID-19 vaccinations at the vaccination center in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. People who have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are exempt from the limit on the number of people at immediate family gatherings (currently 8 people). Starting in July, masks can be removed outdoors in places such as parks and hiking trails, and vaccinated individuals will be exempt from the set limits on the number of people allowed in indoor and outdoor multi-use facilities such as restaurants, cafes, wedding halls, religious institutions, and private gatherings. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] As COVID-19 vaccinations continue, the number of reported adverse reactions after vaccination has increased by nearly 3,600 cases over the past three days.

According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team on the 5th, a total of 3,592 new cases suspected of adverse reactions after vaccination were reported to health authorities from the 2nd to the 4th. There were 1,174 cases on the 2nd, 1,125 cases on the 3rd, and 1,293 cases on the 4th.

The number of death reports increased by 14, including 5 men and 9 women. Six of them had received the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine, and eight had received the Pfizer vaccine. By age group, there were 3 in their 60s, 2 in their 70s, 7 in their 80s, and 2 in their 90s. Among them, 6 were found to have underlying conditions, and investigations are currently ongoing for the remaining 8.

The number of suspected anaphylaxis cases, a severe systemic allergic reaction, increased by 20 (15 AZ cases, 5 Pfizer cases). Major adverse reaction cases, which include 'special interest adverse reactions' that medical staff pay particular attention to, ICU admissions, life-threatening conditions, permanent disabilities, and sequelae, increased by 190 cases. There were 129 AZ-related cases and 61 Pfizer-related reports. The remaining 3,368 cases were classified as general adverse reactions such as pain and swelling at the injection site, fever, and headache.

Since the start of domestic vaccinations on February 26, a total of 33,442 suspected adverse reaction reports have been accumulated. This accounts for about 0.34% of the total 1st and 2nd dose cumulative vaccinations (9,732,863 doses) as of midnight that day. There were 25,074 AZ vaccine-related cases and 8,368 Pfizer vaccine-related cases. The reporting rate of adverse reactions relative to cumulative vaccinations is approximately 0.46% for the AZ vaccine and 0.19% for the Pfizer vaccine.

The cumulative number of death reports after vaccination is 206. Among them, 134 were Pfizer vaccine recipients and 72 were AZ vaccine recipients. The cumulative number of suspected anaphylaxis cases is 256 (192 AZ cases, 64 Pfizer cases). The total number of suspected major adverse reaction cases is 1,294, with AstraZeneca (686 cases) and Pfizer (608 cases) vaccines showing no significant difference. Of all adverse reaction reports, 31,686 cases, accounting for 94.7%, were common post-vaccination symptoms such as muscle pain, headache, fever, chills, and nausea.