Park Neung-hoo: "Flu vaccine coverage of 60% of the population is sufficient... Excessive worry is unnecessary"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, stated that flu vaccination coverage sufficient to prevent 60% of the entire population is adequate.

On the afternoon of the 17th, during a government-wide question session on education, social, and cultural affairs held at the National Assembly, Park responded to a question from Nam In-soon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who said, "The opposition party argues that instead of providing 20,000 won for communication fees, flu vaccination for the entire population should be implemented," by saying, "Infectious disease experts also believe that a vaccine capable of preventing 60% of the entire population is sufficient."

He explained, "Looking at the flu season of 2019-2020, when people actively wore masks and washed their hands, the weekly number of flu patients dropped to about one-tenth, or 10%, compared to the previous year. Also, flu can be treated with a medication called Tamiflu."

He added, "Since there is an adequate stockpile and distribution of treatment drugs, it is appropriate to be cautious about the flu but not to worry excessively."

Earlier that day, at the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee, Minister Park also emphasized, "Considering demand, we have secured enough doses to vaccinate up to 60% of the entire population," and added, "No country in the world has vaccinated more than half of its population against the flu. We have raised that by 10 percentage points."

Meanwhile, regarding the recent increase in severe COVID-19 cases, Minister Park said, "Currently, supply is not insufficient to meet demand, but we plan to create about 200 additional intensive care beds by the end of this year. We will also support training about 250 doctors and nurses by September."