"Light Run but Heart Rate 190", "No Period After Pfizer Shot"…Celebrities Complain About Vaccine Side Effects

1586 Reports of Adverse Reactions to COVID-19 Vaccines... Only 7 Cases Recognized as Causally Related

Group AOA member Seolhyun. Photo by Seolhyun Instagram screenshot.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As citizens continue to report side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine, concerns about the vaccine are growing as some celebrities also share their experiences of aftereffects.

On the 3rd, Seolhyun, a member of AOA and an actress, posted on her Instagram, "Am I the only one whose armpit hurts after getting the vaccine?" She had previously posted a photo of her vaccination certificate after receiving her second dose of the Pfizer vaccine on the 30th of last month.

Meanwhile, actress Han Jiwoo complained of side effects such as menstrual irregularities after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

On the 1st, she posted on her Instagram, "I haven't had my period since the first Pfizer shot," expressing concern, "Some say their period suddenly comes after the second shot, while others experience continuous bleeding. This isn't menopause, right?" She also added hashtags in the comments such as '#35dayswithoutnews', '#PfizerSideEffects', and '#HowIsEveryoneDoing'.

Mixed martial artist Choo Sung-hoon also reported health issues after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine on the 19th of last month. He wrote on Instagram, "I ran lightly, but my heart rate was 190," adding, "I've never experienced this before, but something feels off after getting the shot." Later, on the 1st, Choo posted a photo of himself visiting a hospital for a detailed examination with the caption, "Life has many things."

Mixed martial artist Choo Sung-hoon. Photo by Choo Sung-hoon Instagram screenshot.

mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) vaccines like Moderna and Pfizer work by entering the human body and producing viral proteins (antigens), which then stimulate the immune system to generate antibodies against those proteins.

After vaccination, symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain may occur, but most disappear within three days without any special treatment.

However, if any of the following symptoms appear within four weeks after vaccination: difficulty breathing, chest pain, persistent abdominal pain, or leg swelling; or if headaches persist for more than two days, do not respond to painkillers, or cause blurred vision; or if there is sudden weakness or unusual symptoms different from usual; or if bruising or bleeding occurs in areas other than the injection site, thrombocytopenic thrombosis should be suspected.

Meanwhile, among a total of 1,586 reports of death and severe adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccination, only 7 cases (0.4%) were confirmed to have a causal relationship with the vaccination. There were 2 deaths and 5 severe cases.

According to data submitted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and disclosed on the 3rd by Shin Hyun-young, a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee from the Democratic Party, out of 1,586 reports of death and severe cases after COVID-19 vaccination (678 deaths, 908 severe cases), only 7 cases (0.4%)?2 deaths and 5 severe cases?were recognized as causally related to the vaccination. Additionally, 38 cases (2.4%)?3 deaths and 35 severe cases?were evaluated as "cases with insufficient evidence."

Among the 7 cases with confirmed causality, there was one patient who died from thrombocytopenic thrombosis after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine, and four severe cases involving thrombocytopenic thrombosis, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, and hypotension caused by seizures following fever. There was also one death from myocarditis and one death from pericarditis after receiving the Pfizer vaccine.