[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] It has been confirmed that 105 people have already been vaccinated with influenza (flu) vaccines that were exposed to room temperature during distribution and subsequently discontinued for use.
Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a regular briefing held on the 25th at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in Osong, Chungbuk, "As a result of investigating the vaccination status of the (room temperature exposed) vaccines in question, it was confirmed that 105 people received the vaccination."
The vaccinated age group includes adolescents aged 13 to 18 and adults. They were vaccinated in the Seoul, Busan, Jeonbuk, and Jeonnam regions.
The government had stated on the 23rd that there were no vaccination cases. Head Jung said, "It was identified that 105 people had already been vaccinated before the request to stop administering government-procured vaccines was made," adding, "63 people were vaccinated before September 22, 34 on the 22nd, and 8 on the 23rd."
In some hospitals, vaccine management was lax. Head Jung revealed, "In one hospital, government-procured free vaccines and vaccines purchased individually were managed together, resulting in about 60 people receiving government-procured vaccines."
However, Head Jung believes the possibility of contamination or problems with the vaccines is low. He explained, "The flu vaccine is an inactivated vaccine, and most vaccines are supplied pre-filled and sealed in syringes for single use or single person use," adding, "The possibility of contamination is considered very low, and no related side effects have been reported yet."
The government is currently notifying the affected vaccine recipients of the facts and monitoring for side effects. No cases of adverse reactions have been reported among them so far.
Head Jung said, "We plan to continuously monitor cases of adverse reactions," and bowed his head, saying, "We sincerely apologize for causing great concern to the public due to the failure to thoroughly manage the distribution of vaccines procured under the national immunization contract."
Meanwhile, starting from the afternoon of the same day, a free flu vaccination program for children under 12 and pregnant women will begin. On the 21st, the government confirmed that Shinseong Pharmaceutical did not adhere to the 'cold chain' principle during vaccine delivery and abruptly suspended the national immunization program.
Shinseong Pharmaceutical is understood to have supplied 5.78 million doses (46%) out of the 12.59 million doses contracted by the government by the 21st. These doses were delivered to 256 public health centers and 18,101 medical institutions nationwide.
The vaccines used for the resumed vaccinations are unrelated to the doses distributed by Shinseong Pharmaceutical that were exposed to room temperature. Vaccines for children under 12 and pregnant women are currently purchased individually by each medical institution, just like paid vaccines.
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