COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring in the Republic of Korea: February 26, 2021 to April 30, 2021
10.24171/j.phrp.2021.0157
- Author:
Hyun-kyung OH
1
;
Eun Kyeong KIM
;
Insob HWANG
;
Tae Eun KIM
;
Yeon-kyeong LEE
;
Eunju LEE
;
Yeon-Kyeng LEE
Author Information
1. Adverse Event Management Team, Post-vaccination Management Group, COVID-19 Vaccination Task Force, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Korea
- Publication Type:Brief Report
- From:
Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives
2021;12(4):264-268
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objectives:On February 26, 2021, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination was started for high-priority groups based on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with 2 available COVID-19 vaccines (AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioNTech) in Korea. This report provides a summary of adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination as of April 30, 2021.
Methods:Adverse events following immunization are notifiable by medical doctors to the Korea Immunization Management System (KIMS) under the national surveillance system. We analyzed all adverse events reports following COVID-19 vaccination to the KIMS from February 26 to April 30, 2021.
Results:In total, 16,196 adverse events following 3,586,814 administered doses of COVID-19 vaccines were reported in approximately 2 months (February 26 to April 30, 2021). Of these, 15,658 (96.7%) were non-serious adverse events, and 538 (3.3%) were serious adverse events, including 73 (0.5%) deaths. The majority of adverse events (n=13,063, 80.7%) were observed in women, and the most frequently reported adverse events were myalgia (52.2%), fever (44.9%), and headache (34.9%). Of the 73 deaths following the COVID-19 vaccination, none were related to the vaccines.
Conclusion:By April 30, 3.6 million doses of the COVID 19 vaccine had been given in Korea, and the overwhelming majority of reports were for non-serious events. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency continues to monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccination.
