The corona 19 vaccination brought the media to the verification table once more. There are concerns that the’vaccine povia’, which was a problem during the flu epidemic last year, could lead to the’corona vaccine povia’. As criticism toward the press continues, media that reinforce fact-checking and planning reporting are also increasing. Nevertheless, exaggerated reports under the name of’verification’ are still raising media distrust. We have summarized the reporting methods that should be avoided and the direction to be directed.
‘[속보] Stop reporting’adverse vaccine reactions’
Adverse reactions (symptoms) were broadcast at the same time as the vaccination. The related article delivered to the portal on the 26th of last month, when vaccination started in Korea, is like this. △“’Blood pressure rises and dizziness’… On the first day of COVID-19 vaccination, some symptoms are showing” (Seoul Economic Daily) △ “Two Incheon nurses who were vaccinated also have symptoms… Breathless and blood pressure rises to the hospital” (Chosun Ilbo) △“The first abnormal symptom of Pohang AZ vaccine… Emergency execution for high blood pressure and dizziness” (JoongAng Ilbo), etc.
However, all those who appeared in the article quickly improved their tax rate. Nursing hospital nurses returned to work in about two hours after receiving fluid injections at a nearby hospital and their symptoms improved. Pohang inoculators were discharged from the hospital after being prescribed headache medication. All 15 reports of adverse reactions received by the central quarantine countermeasures headquarters (bangdaebon) on the first day of vaccination were mild.
According to the Corona 19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, 6.3% of the 366,000 first-line vaccination subjects for four days from the 26th to the 1st of last month completed vaccination. Of the 23,086 people who received the vaccine, 156 reports of adverse reactions were received by 0 o’clock on the 2nd. The promotion team plans to evaluate and announce the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine in one month. In short, a causal relationship between adverse reactions and specific vaccines has not been established to date. Medical experts contend that it only promotes anxiety only if they report and broadcast the adverse reactions at the current level.
Of course, it is impossible not to report adverse reactions. However, it is important to avoid a method that makes an unidentified phenomenon misunderstood as if it were true. Jae-gap Lee, professor of infectious medicine at Hallym University, said, “Even though this is not a problem, it can have a big impact on those who want to get a vaccine or not.” The causal relationship must be clearly identified. In the content, you must share expert opinions and write comments.”
Man-ki Song, deputy director of the International Vaccine Research Institute, said, “Death cases are clear. We have no choice but to think of the flu vaccine reports that were damaged last year. “There are too many reports of’opinions’ among domestic media reports. I hope that the media will load the analysis of scientists and experts as much as possible, look at objective data, and provide a professional report.”
Refrain from quoting fragmentary foreign media and support the coverage
Various cited reports were also posted on the cutting board. Let’s first look at the case of being criticized for inaccurate foreign citations. On the 28th of last month, the 3rd day of vaccination, some media reported that’the stock of AstraZeneca vaccine is accumulating in Europe’. These are the articles that cited reports from the Financial Times of the UK.
Private news agency news 1 article (“AZ vaccine is unbelievable”… stocks piled up to avoid Europeans) said, “AstraZeneca vaccine stocks are accumulating largely in each country due to doubts about the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine.” He reported that he had a lot of reluctance to the Zeneca vaccine.” The Korea Economic Daily and Financial News have titled the vaccine as “Chanbap”.
However, the Financial Times announced on the 27th (local time) that the avoidance of AstraZeneca in Europe and such distrust should be resolved. Through expert opinions with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron. In France, President Macron claimed that the AstraZeneca effect would be limited to those over 65 years old.
Non-scientific claims in politics, medical supervisors should not carry opinions
Eventually, the domestic politicians misrepresented the claim of “European AZ avoidance” whose context was removed. While the people’s power has been criticized several times for the vaccination campaign, Kim Jong-in, chairman of the emergency countermeasures committee, said on the 2nd that “the AZ vaccine, which is avoided in Europe, will be vaccinated in Korea.” This remark has spread in numerous headlines. Articles that pointed out that the argument of Chairman Kim was wrong also used Chairman Kim’s remarks in the title.
In particular, be cautious when posting opinions of medical staff. Even if it is against public opinion in the medical field or the evidence is insufficient, if it is reported as a’medical opinion’, it is packaged as a credible claim. “’The feeling of becoming a vaccine Maruta’” Medical staff who notices, even thinks about leaving the company” (JoongAng Ilbo), “’A side effect? Resignation for the vaccine’… This is why articles such as “Rejected by some medical staff” (SBS) were criticized.
The medical community is also urging workers to get vaccinations. On the 1st, the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases Adult Vaccination Committee issued a statement, “recommending the active COVID-19 vaccination of health care workers.” They said that the efficacy and safety of all vaccines that are currently licensed for use were confirmed, and appealed, “Please join the corona19 vaccination to protect patients and the health care system.” If vaccination is done smoothly now, it is possible to establish a next vaccination plan that takes into account the long-term prevention effect and the emergence of mutant viruses in the future.
Citizens lacking reliable information, need to increase reporting
Some point out that the provision of necessary information is insufficient compared to the amount of vaccine-related reports. The results of the’Vaccination Intention Survey’ published by the Corona 19 Planning Research Group of Seoul National University Graduate School of Health also disprove this. About 40% of the 1084 people who participated in the survey from the 8th to the 17th of last month said they were not reliable enough for their expectations or need for corona vaccine information.
Even though the medical community has already revealed that the vaccine is safe, there were also results that the number of respondents who would get the vaccine’when safety is confirmed’ was higher than when asked about their intention to vaccination without any premise. Prof. Myung-soon Myung, who participated in the study, explained, “The attitude and willingness to be vaccinated against Corona 19 appeared to be high, but at the same time, the high level of concern such as side effects of vaccination supports the need to provide transparent and responsible vaccine information and communication.” .
The principle of reporting on infectious diseases has an agreed standard. This is the’Infectious Disease Reporting Rule’ established last year by the Korean Journalists Association, the Broadcasting Journalists Association, and the Korean Science Journalists Association. The rule says in the preamble, “Keeping in mind that speculative or exaggerated articles cause confusion for the people, our journalists will work together to combat infectious diseases and prevent the spread of damage.” The basic contents are △Information of groups vulnerable to diseases, and provision of prevention methods and rules of action △Provides information on medical institutions and public health centers equipped with medicines or equipment necessary for infectious diseases treatment △Infectious diseases related medical terms are understood by the general public Easy delivery and so on.
Professor Lee Jae-gap emphasized that “we need articles like’Holy Land’.” He said, “Vaccine news requires a lot of long-term planning news. In the case of the New York Times reporter Carl Zimmer, he has been updating related news for the first year. He urged, “We need articles in the form of accumulation of adverse reactions, efficacy, advantages, and disadvantages from the vaccine itself.” In addition, Professor Lee said, “I am most worried that the vaccination rate of the elderly 65 years or older may drop. There is already a lot of misinformation on social media,” he said. “Considering that youth under the age of 18 do not fit, it is a situation in which group immunity will be formed even if all remaining adults are correct,” he stressed the importance of vaccination again.
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