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| Medical workers demonstrate how to treat patients experiencing reactions after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination training session at a temporary vaccine center in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, Wednesday. Yonhap |
By Bahk Eun-ji
The government is considering allowing workers to take leave for a couple of days after getting COVID-19 vaccines following reports that many undergo more severe-than-expected immune responses, such as fever, after vaccination.
The idea was first officially floated by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, Tuesday.
"We have received reports that a number of people experience fever and muscle pains after getting coronavirus vaccines, although these are normal immune reactions," Chung said during a regular COVID-19 response meeting in Seoul. "If we want to carry out the vaccination program as scheduled, it is the most important that the people participate in it without anxiety."
In response, health authorities began discussions with related ministries on the introduction of vaccination leave.
"Related governments including ministries of health, employment and labor and personnel management have been reviewing the idea, but there are many things to be discussed and organized, such as when to introduce, how to do it, such as in a paid or unpaid way, and how to apply it to different industries," Yoon Tae-ho, a senior official of the health ministry, said during a regular press briefing, Thursday.
"There are several things to be sorted out in relation to these parts. Detailed plans will be soon announced once they are organized."
The vaccination leave idea has come as many have suffered immune reactions after inoculation, mostly fever, muscle pain and chills, which usually go away in a couple of days but are more severe than initially expected. Some say fever reducers did not work.
Medical professionals say that health authorities should more accurately notify people of symptoms after inoculation, as people could be alarmed at the symptoms which can be more severe than those appearing after flu vaccination.
One doctor who got the shot said it's better to tell people that it will definitely be hard for a couple of days after inoculation rather than telling them they don't have to worry because such mild reactions would disappear naturally.
Lawmakers also began to work on revising the relevant law to introduce vaccine vacations. Rep. Kim Won-i of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea proposed a revision bill to the Act on the Prevention and Management of Infectious Diseases, Monday, to set legal grounds for leave for vaccination against infectious diseases such as COVID-19.
According to his bill, if an employee receives a vaccination against an infectious disease, the employer should provide leave in addition to other annual paid leaves guaranteed by the Labor Standard Act and the employee should not face any disadvantages because of the time off work.
