The government has lowered the age at which AstraZeneca (AZ)'s COVID-19 'residual vaccine' can be vaccinated to 30-49 years old. Since the 1st of last month, the government has restricted the AZ vaccine to those over 50 years of age because of concerns about the occurrence of thrombocytopenic thrombosis (TTS).
The Corona 19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team announced at a briefing on the 13th that "From today, it is possible to vaccinate the remaining AstraZeneca vaccine for those over 30 years of age at entrusted medical institutions, public health centers, and nursing hospitals and nursing facilities." Accordingly, on the same day, entrusted medical institutions started receiving the AZ vaccine preliminary list, and from the 17th, those in their 30s and older can find and receive the remaining AZ vaccine by making a reservation on the same day through Naver and Kakao.
This measure is due to the fact that a large amount of residual vaccine is being generated as the second dose of AZ inoculation for those aged 60 to 74 is progressing. If the first vaccination is done with AZ vaccine, the reservation date for the second vaccination is automatically determined after 8 weeks, unless there are special circumstances.
Meanwhile, the government announced on the same day that it had signed a contract with Pfizer to purchase an additional 30 million doses of vaccine to be used for next year's COVID-19 vaccination. The government has been pushing to purchase 50 million doses for next year with Pfizer, of which 30 million doses and 15 million doses based on two doses have been confirmed. The contract also includes an option to purchase an additional 30 million doses by the end of next year under mutually agreed terms if necessary. In addition, 400,000 doses of Janssen's COVID-19 vaccine will arrive in Korea on the 15th.
Choi, 43, an office worker, was furious after hearing the government announcement that as of the afternoon of the 13th, those in their 30s and 40s, who are subject to the Corona 19 vaccine reservation, could also receive the AstraZeneca (AZ) residual vaccine. This is because the AZ vaccine is less effective than the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, which are ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines, and there is a risk of rare thrombosis, which reduces platelets in people under the age of 50. Choi said, "I had expectations that I would receive the mRNA vaccine, but now that moderna vaccines are scarce, it is absurd to say that those who urgently need to receive the AZ vaccine, which are being discarded one after another, are being discarded."
Controversy has arisen when the government announced on the same day that the age of AZ vaccination would be maintained at 50 years of age or older, but the remaining vaccines would be extended to those aged 30 or older. This is because Pfizer and Moderna are extending the vaccination interval to six weeks as a drastic measure due to the shortage of vaccines, and they are strongly recommending the remaining AZ vaccine to those in their 30s and 40s.
Currently, only the elderly over 60 years of age are vaccinated in Italy, Spain and Germany. In France, the AZ vaccination is available only to those over 55 years old, and in Japan and the UK, only those over 40 years of age. Those over 30 years of age in Canada and 18 years of age or older in Australia, Austria, Singapore and Taiwan.
Because of this, those who have been waiting for an mRNA vaccine are complaining. “It was only two months ago that I heard the news that a man in his 30s died from rare thrombosis,” said a 30-year-old office worker. It is also questionable whether the government's giving opportunities for AZ residual vaccines to those in their 30s and 40s is effective. It can be useful for people in their 30s and 40s who want to go on an emergency business trip or overseas vacation, but most of them have been waiting for a vaccine with high efficacy from Pfizer and Moderna.
Experts also believe that the effectiveness of the remaining AZ vaccine will not be high even if the target is expanded to those in their 30s or older.
Since AZ is a vaccine for the elderly, reducing the interval between primary and secondary vaccinations is an effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and utilize the remaining AZ vaccines. Choi Jae-wook, a professor of preventive medicine at Korea University, criticized, "It is absurd to announce to all the people that we will expand the range of AZ vaccinations from those in their 50s to 30s in order to reduce residual vaccine waste." did. Professor Choi said, "The current policy is to maintain an interval of 8 weeks for AZ, but in special cases, it can be adjusted within 4 to 12 weeks. .
According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 00:00 on the same day, there were 1990 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, and the number has been hovering around 2,000 for the third day. It is pointed out that the current 'tinker response' will only increase the fatigue of the people, far from stopping the 4th pandemic.
In fact, the government's tinkering prescription continues. One example is when the age for AZ vaccination was 18 years or older, then increased to 30 years or older in April and to 50 years or older from July. Among those who received the first dose of AZ, those over 50 years of age changed the second dose to AZ, and those under 50 to Pfizer also added confusion. The same applies to the fact that the interval between the first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine was increased from three weeks to four weeks and then extended again to six weeks. It is said that after giving a signal to ease the quarantine in June, the delta mutation spread, and the 4th phase of the pandemic in early July in the metropolitan area only added to fatigue. In addition, advance reservations for 55-59 years old, which were stopped overnight, are also considered examples of tinkering.
Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom's remarks this morning are also being criticized for failing to propose special countermeasures, but only a message to the public to cooperate with the quarantine. In addition, an official from the quarantine authorities said, "In order for the second semester of elementary, middle, and high school to go back to school as scheduled at the end of this month, cooperation from adults is absolutely necessary." .
Meanwhile, the government dispatched a delegation consisting of 2nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Kang Do-tae and Blue House Social Policy Secretary Ryu Geun-hyuk to Moderna in the United States this morning. Before leaving the country, Vice Minister Kang said, "I will express regret for the change in supply," and "We will discuss the overall stabilization of the vaccine supply, including the amount to be introduced in the future." Son Young-rae, head of the social strategy division at the Central Accident Resolving Headquarters of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, "I will report the results when the consultation is over and I return to Korea."