KDCA "Government supply vaccination for 122 patients who consented from September 24 to 28"
119 people aged 62 and over eligible for free vaccination
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Amid the complete suspension of the national influenza (flu) vaccination program, a nursing hospital in the Incheon area that administered flu vaccines to over 120 elderly patients has been found to have violated related guidelines.
Originally, the free vaccination program targeting the elderly, starting with those aged 75 and older, was scheduled to begin on the 13th of this month. However, this nursing hospital administered flu vaccines to patients despite the program being fully suspended and without adhering to the designated period.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 1st, a nursing hospital in Incheon vaccinated 122 inpatients with the flu vaccine from the 24th to the 28th of last month. The vaccines used were supplied by the government for the national immunization program.
The vaccination dates were as follows: 9 patients on September 24, 84 on the 25th, 18 on the 27th, and 11 on the 28th.
Earlier, the KDCA confirmed that there had been an incident of some vaccines being exposed to room temperature during distribution by 'Shinseong Pharm,' a company contracted by the government to supply vaccines, and consequently suspended the national immunization program entirely on the night of the 21st.
The KDCA notified medical institutions through the Integrated Disease and Health Management System used by healthcare providers, preventing the input of the same 'lot numbers' (manufacturing serial numbers larger than individual product numbers) as those supplied by Shinseong Pharm. Nevertheless, vaccinations continued at frontline hospitals afterward.
However, the KDCA explained that the vaccines administered to patients at the Incheon nursing hospital were a separate batch supplied by 'DL Pharm,' a company participating in the Shinseong Pharm consortium, and were unrelated to the vaccines suspected of room temperature exposure. Investigations confirmed that proper temperature control (2?8 degrees Celsius) was maintained throughout the entire process of receipt, storage, and transportation of these vaccines.
Regarding this matter, a KDCA official stated, "The hospital did not comply with the (national immunization) program period," adding, "They vaccinated 122 inpatients who consented to the vaccination after receiving the (government-procured) vaccines, and no additional charges were made."
Among those vaccinated, 119 were aged 62 or older and eligible for free vaccination. The remaining 3 were not eligible.
The KDCA explained that concerning the hospital's guideline violations, "Measures such as restricting participation in the influenza national immunization support program for this season (2020?2021) and contract termination are possible," and that "the relevant local government will review the case and take appropriate actions."
Meanwhile, the KDCA stated that the three patients who died after receiving the flu vaccine at this hospital all had pre-existing conditions.
The first death on the 26th of last month was an 86-year-old woman who suffered from dementia, urinary tract infection, and pneumonia. The subsequent deaths were an 88-year-old woman with dementia and hypotension, and a 91-year-old woman with dementia, hypertension, and urinary tract infection, according to the KDCA.
The KDCA reiterated, "After consulting with experts regarding the three deaths, it was concluded that the deaths were due to old age and worsening underlying conditions rather than being related to the influenza vaccine administration."
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