![On the 3rd (local time), a State Defense Force sergeant inoculates a resident's arm at a vaccination site for the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) installed in River Grove, Illinois, USA. [AFP]](https://i0.wp.com/pds.joins.com/news/component/htmlphoto_mmdata/202102/08/ed7ea7dc-87b5-475d-9d59-a7b82c660d6d.jpg?w=560&ssl=1)
On the 3rd (local time), a State Defense Force sergeant inoculates a resident’s arm at a vaccination site for the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) installed in River Grove, Illinois, USA. [AFP]
“It is more beneficial to get vaccinations if anyone is allowed to be vaccination. I think the benefits are much greater, especially for high-risk groups.”
This is a statement by Won-seok Choi, a professor of infectious medicine at Korea University, at a special briefing involving citizens on vaccination against the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) vaccination held on the 8th. At the briefing that day, Professor Choi, President of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Chung Eun-kyung, and Professor Nam Jae-hwan of the Department of Medical Life Science at Katoklik University received questions and answers from citizens regarding the vaccine to be introduced in February. They argued that it would be more advantageous to get vaccination even if they are 65 years of age or older, or even those with chronic diseases. Vaccine-related answers explained by quarantine experts were solved in Q&A format.
Corona Vaccination Q&A
Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Defense Countermeasure Headquarters (Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) was asked by the National Communication Group at a special briefing for citizens to ask and answer questions related to vaccination related to the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) vaccine held at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Cheongju, Chungbuk on the afternoon of the 8th. have. From left: Choi Won-seok, professor of infectious medicine at Korea University Ansan Hospital, Commissioner Eun-kyung Jeong, and Professor Nam Jae-hwan of the Department of Medical Life Science, Catholic University. yunhap news
- Are you concerned about safety as the vaccine development period is short?
- Usually, vaccine development takes about 10 years, but in the case of Corona 19 vaccine development, the development period is within 1 year. Professor Choi drew a line, saying, “Just because the period is shortened does not mean that the stage of vaccine development has been omitted.” In the pandemic situation, the administrative time required for each research period was reduced, and the preparation of research funds was concurrently shortened. “There is no time when safety or effectiveness in a perfect sense is confirmed,” he said. “If you look at the current situation, it is more beneficial to do it if anyone is allowed to inoculate.”
- Isn’t it less effective against mutant viruses?
- Recently, some mutant viruses have been shown to be less effective in vaccines, and they are spreading even to’vaccination uselessness. Professor Nam said, “The vaccine has two effects. One is to prevent the virus from entering my body, and the other is to prevent the virus from entering and going to severity.” In the case of the UK mutant virus, he said, most vaccines now show sufficient defense. However, for mutant strains in South Africa, it is true that the vaccine’s protective effect falls to 50-60%, but he recommends that it be vaccinated because it has a much higher ability to prevent it from going to severity.
- People with underlying diseases with weak immunity are also subject to vaccination.
- Professor Choi said, “People with chronic diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes are also included in the clinical research results. When analyzing the efficacy and safety, it does not show any particularly different results compared to other groups. Even in thesis, the recommendations for vaccination do not change.” Professor Choi said, “However, there is a possibility that the immune response may decrease a little, so the effect may be low.” He said, “It is advantageous to inoculate because the complications and deaths that can occur when infected are higher than those who do not.”
On the morning of the 6th, Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun visits the Central Vaccination Center, located on the site before the new National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, and looks inside. The Central Vaccination Center is expected to be vaccinated against Korea’s first new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) in mid-February. News 1
- Can I get the vaccine and get COVID-19?
- Professor Choi said, “Most vaccines do not contain live viruses. Even if you get a vaccine, you cannot make an infection,” he added. “Even if you get the vaccine, there may be people who get Corona 19 because a sufficient immune response does not occur.”
- Can I go out or have a private meeting immediately after getting the vaccine?
- Prof. Nam responded to this question, saying, “You should never do that. If you go to the battlefield the day after entering the Nonsan Training Center, can the soldiers win the battle?” He said, “You have to be very careful about at least two weeks after vaccination, and even after two weeks after vaccination, it is good to wear a mask and keep social distancing until the KCDC says it is okay. “Vaccines don’t 100% protect against infection.”
- Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine every year like the flu vaccine?
- Professor Choi replied, “It has not been concluded how long the vaccine will be effective,” he said. “If the preventive effect lasts for less than one year, there may be situations in which re-vaccination is required.”
President Moon Jae-in is on the move to attend a simulation training for the transportation of the Corona 19 vaccine held at the Korean Air cargo terminal at Incheon International Airport on the morning of the 3rd. Blue House Photo Reporters
- Can I be correct if I have a drug allergy?
- Professor Choi said, “People with severe allergic reactions related to the components of the vaccine, that is, anaphylaxis, are clearly contraindicated in vaccination. However, allergic reactions to the extent of a mild rash on the skin when taken or given an injection are not contraindicated in vaccination.”
- What are the countermeasures for side effects of the vaccine?
- “The biggest concern is anaphylactic shock, a severe allergic reaction caused by the ingredients in the vaccine. During the diagnosis process, you should tell if you are allergic to drugs, vaccines, or food, and you should observe allergic reactions 15 to 30 minutes after vaccination.” “There will be no big problem, but if a report of an abnormal reaction comes in, the damage compensation deliberation committee is preparing to check the causal relationship and compensate for it,” he said.
- Can I get other injections such as beauty and nutrition after vaccination?
- Professor Choi said, “Inflammatory reactions have been an issue in a small number of foreign countries who received modder or vaccines and received fillers. However, the number of occurrences was very small, and most of them were treated well with drugs,” he said. “It is necessary to observe the case, but I do not think that anesthesia, nutrition, and cosmetic injections are contraindicated.”
- Shouldn’t adolescents under 18 get the vaccine?
- “There is not enough information about clinical trials, etc. for those under the age of 18. As of now, there is no vaccination plan yet.”
Reporter Woorim Lee [email protected]