Korea’s messaging around AstraZeneca vaccine prompts confusion

AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine this week became available in South Korea to people in their 30s and 40s, even though the official cutoff age hasn’t changed, reported The Korea Herald.

The availability has left many unsure, including medical professionals who say no real evidence was provided to support the change of policy.

The vaccine is officially recommended only for those 50 and older, due to the higher risk of rare but serious blood clotting in younger people.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Friday that the AstraZeneca vaccination policy was changed to give younger people an option. The agency said the age advice for AstraZeneca’s vaccine would remain unchanged. 

"In principle, people under 50 will be offered mRNA vaccines," the agency said on Monday, implying the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines might be preferred for the age group. "People 30 and above can decide to get AstraZeneca’s vaccine if they wish," it added.

On Wednesday, Hong Jeong-ik, head of the agency’s vaccination management division, said the agency "is not actively promoting that people 30 and older get the AstraZeneca vaccine." He added that "rather than limiting AstraZeneca’s vaccine to certain populations, people can weigh the known risks and benefits and decide for themselves if it is for them."