S.Korean convenience stores see as much as 99.6% increase in Tylenol sales as vaccination ramps up

Tylenol sales in South Korean convenience stores drastically increased by as much as 99.6 percent from April to May on rumors that it helps with the fever, headache, and muscle pain that are common COVID-19 vaccine side effects.

With more South Koreans getting vaccinated for COVID-19, Tylenol is increasingly sold out at pharmacies, prompting consumers to head out to convenience stores to buy it.

Some consumers are hoarding Tylenol in anticipation of a supply crisis just like what happened with hand sanitizers and protective masks during the early stages of the pandemic.

.7-Eleven saw a 99.6 percent increase in Tylenol sales between May 27 and 30 soon after the introduction of the reservation service for ‘no-show’ vaccines, from the same period in April.

CU reported an 89.9 percent increase in Tylenol sales between May 27 and 31 from the same period in April. It was also a 125.5 percent increase compared to the same month last year,

GS25 posted a 38.8 percent increase in May from April, which was a 41.9 percent increase compared to the same month last year.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety reminded citizens that there are many other kinds of acetaminophen-based pain and fever reducers, offering information on some 70 similar drugs readily available in the country.