Medical staff preparing for the COVID-19 vaccine. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The family of a female childcare teacher in her 30s who died one day after receiving the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine has posted a petition demanding a thorough investigation, saying they feel "very angry and unfairly treated."
On the 9th, a post titled "Death the day after the second dose of Pfizer COVID vaccine" was uploaded on the Blue House National Petition Board. As of 5 PM on the 10th, the petition had received over 13,600 signatures.
The petitioner, Mr. A, said, "(The deceased, Ms. B) was a healthy 35-year-old woman with no surgical history or underlying conditions," adding, "She was employed again in May after giving birth and worked as a daycare teacher."
According to Mr. A, Ms. B received her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on the 14th of last month, experiencing only arm muscle pain without other symptoms. She then received the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine around 10 AM on the 4th. However, around 9 PM the same day, Ms. B suffered from severe headaches, lost consciousness, and collapsed.
Mr. A stated, "After the severe headache, she experienced speech impairment, vomiting, and diarrhea, then collapsed and was transported by 119 emergency services. A CT scan diagnosed a cerebral hemorrhage, and she passed away at 7 AM on the 5th," adding, "We feel very angry, unfair, and deeply distressed. We have requested an autopsy, which is scheduled for Monday."
A citizen is receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Regarding this, since the start of COVID-19 vaccinations in South Korea on February 26, a total of 128,612 suspected adverse reaction cases have been reported as of midnight on the 9th. Among these, 6,112 are serious adverse reactions, and 448 death reports have been filed. Including cases where symptoms were initially reported but worsened leading to death, the total number of deaths is 639 (Pfizer 372, AZ 257, Janssen 9, Moderna 1).
Earlier, on the 26th of last month, a woman in her 20s who received the Moderna vaccine at a commissioned medical institution in Jeju also died on the 7th, sparking controversy. The woman showed symptoms of thrombosis five days after vaccination on the 31st of last month and underwent emergency surgery at a general hospital in the province but died within a week.
In particular, it was later revealed that the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency refused the Jeju quarantine authorities' request to confirm whether the severe adverse reaction was related to the vaccine before the woman's death, causing a stir.
Jo Eunhee, head of the Safety Vaccination Management Division of the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, said at a regular briefing regarding the controversy, "We received the request (for this case), but acted according to the guidelines," adding, "We will review it further with experts and provide guidance."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
