Medical staff are transferring the COVID-19 vaccine into syringes ahead of vaccination. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] Ten additional cases have been recognized for causality between suspected anaphylaxis cases and COVID-19 vaccination. However, among the 31 death cases reviewed by the COVID-19 Vaccination Damage Investigation Committee this time, none were acknowledged as causally related.
The COVID-19 Vaccination Damage Investigation Committee held its 16th meeting on the 11th and announced the review results on the 14th for 61 reported cases of death, severe adverse reactions, and suspected anaphylaxis following vaccination. The meeting reviewed 31 death cases, 7 severe adverse reaction cases, and 23 suspected anaphylaxis cases.
The average age of the 31 deceased after vaccination was 78.5 years, with 24 having received the Pfizer vaccine and 7 the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine. Twenty-nine (93.5%) had underlying medical conditions.
Regarding these cases, the committee comprehensively reviewed the estimated causes of death, considering underlying diseases and the impact of vaccination, and concluded that it is difficult to recognize causality between vaccination and death in 30 cases. One case will be re-discussed later after supplementing additional data such as medical records.
In particular, the committee did not acknowledge causality for more than half of the estimated causes of death, including myocardial infarction, stroke (cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage), aortic aneurysm rupture, and heart failure, which accounted for 16 cases. They judged these were more likely caused by underlying risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, medical history, and old age rather than vaccination.
The seven severe cases reviewed had an average age of 77.6 years, all with underlying conditions. Six had received the Pfizer vaccine, and one the AZ vaccine. The committee found it difficult to recognize causality with vaccination in six cases and plans to re-discuss one case later.
These individuals reported severe adverse reactions such as deep vein thrombosis, cerebral infarction, pneumonia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. However, the committee judged it difficult to acknowledge causality with vaccination as these patients also had underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, dementia, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and cerebral infarction.
Meanwhile, among the 23 new suspected anaphylaxis cases, causality was recognized in 10 cases (43.5%).
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