This photo, provided by SK Bioscience on Nov. 24, 2020, shows a researcher looking into vaccine candidates.
SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — Experts have argued that coronavirus vaccines should be distributed based on priorities.
The Korean Society for Medical Ethics (KSME) published a statement on Tuesday, calling on all sectors to discuss the issue of distributing COVID-19 vaccines and utilizing ER resources to overcome the current health crisis.
The KSME emphasized the need to consider ethical principles such as the right to equal medical treatment, prevention of health inequality, fairness, and transparency when distributing the coronavirus vaccines.
They also called for discussions on the choice of individuals, if vaccinations were to become mandatory for all.
Even if the process of deliberation and restrictions were to be lifted, fundamental principles of protecting test participants, ensuring safety of medicine, and the independence of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) should not be compromised, the society said.
Until the effects and side-effects of the vaccine are verified, the government should offer means of remedy in case of damages caused by the vaccine or medicine.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
