"Unable to Walk for Two Months After Receiving Pfizer Vaccine During Military Service... Plea for Help" Angry Cheong Wa Dae Petition

Unable to Walk Due to Knee and Chest Pain
"No Chronic Illness, Healthy Enough to Receive Grade 1 in Physical Examination"

Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Yeeun] A national petition has been posted claiming that a soldier is unable to walk after receiving the second dose of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine during military service.

On the 21st, a post titled "Unable to walk due to vaccine side effects during military service. Please help" was uploaded on the Blue House national petition board. The petitioner, Mr. A (21), who introduced himself as a private first class who enlisted in the military last April, stated, "After receiving the second Pfizer vaccine dose on July 29, numbness began in both shins 2-3 days later. Now, two months later, I have knee pain and chest pain and cannot walk."

According to Mr. A, he had no underlying health conditions and was healthy enough to receive a first-class physical examination before enlisting.

He said, "Over the past two months, I have visited several hospitals for tests, but all tests came back normal, and I am only undergoing continuous examinations for pain of unknown cause," adding, "Because there is no precise diagnosis, I am not receiving treatment at the military hospital. All hospitals suspect vaccine side effects but find it difficult to confirm the connection, making it hard to issue a medical certificate."

He continued, "Thanks to the unit commander's consideration, I received leave for the petition and am undergoing oriental medicine treatment while trying to find the cause through tests, but now I have to return to the military unit," and added, "Medical expenses have already exceeded 10 million won."

He also pointed out, "The government urges vaccination but does not take responsibility for the side effects," and criticized, "Although compensation is promised, considering that it is difficult for general hospitals to find a connection to the vaccine, the compensation is just words."

Mr. A appealed, "A healthy young man who was serving in the military suddenly cannot walk after vaccination," and requested, "I hope I can receive timely treatment at the military hospital to prevent the situation from worsening."

Meanwhile, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, as of the 25th, a total of 339,002 cases have been reported as suspected adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccination.