The head of the Korean Medical Association has questioned a favorable judgement reached by an advisory panel on the efficacy of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines administered to the elderly. 

Choi Dae-zip posted in his social media account on Monday that the elderly should be administered Pfizer and Moderna vaccines instead, saying the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines' efficacy on those aged 65 and older has yet to be proven. 

He said COVID-19 patients aged 65 and older have a higher likelihood of developing severe symptoms, and they should receive vaccines that have been proven to be the most effective among the products available. 

His remarks come after the Food and Drug Safety Ministry announced a conclusion reached by a panel of experts that the AstraZeneca vaccine can be administered to all adults, including seniors over 65, despite similar controversies overseas pointing to a lack of research for that age group and risks. 

The panel consisting of eight doctors and other experts concluded that preventive effects were found in all test groups including those 65 and older, and immune reactions following vaccination reported among seniors were similar to those of other adults.