[Reporter’s View] KDCA’s dilemma on using AZ vaccine

The last call is to be made by the hand of Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

 

On Feb.

 

10, South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) finalized the authorization on AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine.

 

The ministry included a warning for inoculating an age group over 65 that ‘the vaccination should be carefully considered for the specific age group.’ It was a clever decision.

 

But also at the same time, now KDCA has to make the hard decision.

 

In the afternoon of Feb.

 

15, KDCA announced the final inoculation plan including the vaccination for the elderly age group.

 

Initially, the government was planning to prioritize inoculating AstraZeneca’s vaccine on long-term nursing hospital occupants and elderly age group.

 

If KDCA decides not to recommend using the vaccine on 65-and-up group, the entire change in the plan is inevitable.

 

Basically, every government in the world has conflicted stances on inoculating the 65-and-up age group with AstraZeneca’s vaccine.

 

Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands and Spain are recommending the vaccine for the 65-and-up age group.

 

Whereas, Italy and Belgium recommend the vaccine only to age 55 and under.

 

The two countries do not see that the vaccine has sufficient evidence to confirm the efficacy.

 

In fact, a clinical study with the vaccine showed only 660 people aged 65 and over, or 7.4 percent of the total, responded to the vaccine.

 

Meanwhile, the U.K., India and Argentina recommend using AstraZeneca’s vaccine on all age groups.

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) also approves of inoculating the elderly age group with the vaccine.

 

They consider the potential benefit of the vaccine outweighs the risk.

 

They elaborated the immune response on the vaccine by the elderly group has been confirmed through documents, which was apparently on par with other age group.

 

The most challenging decision is now given to KDCA to make.

 

Both options could be criticized by each side.

 

However, KDCA should not be swayed by those criticisms.

 

This is the time for the agency to strictly follow the principle.

 

Based on the preceding vaccination cases, they should make a firm decision focusing on the safety and efficacy only.

 

Postponing the decision on the 65-and-up age group vaccination could be an option, if need be, until other countries like the U.K.

 

unveils further clinical data.

 

Most of all, the agency should steer away from a political decision, keeping the April by-election in mind.

 

The inoculation plan may be constantly changing and delayed, but it would be better than risking people’s health with an unconfirmed vaccine.

 

And this is why the KDCA’s decision holds a grave meaning to it.