Death After Flu Vaccination Spurs Spread of 'Vaccine Phobia'

Inquiries About Cancellation of Vaccine Inoculations at Frontline Hospitals and Clinics Following Fatal Accidents Continue

On the 13th, when the influenza vaccination support project resumed, citizens were waiting to receive flu shots at the Korea Health Management Association Seoul Eastern Branch in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] As a 17-year-old high school student who received an influenza (flu) vaccine died, cases of people considering canceling their vaccination appointments are increasing. The deceased high school student was known to have no underlying conditions other than allergic rhinitis, which has heightened anxiety about the vaccine.

On the 20th, at a pediatric clinic in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, calls inquiring about canceling flu vaccinations have been coming in since early morning. A pediatrician at the clinic said, "As soon as we opened at 8 a.m., calls regarding flu vaccination inquiries started coming in," adding, "It seems to be a consequence of the death incident the day before." That morning, at an internal medicine clinic in Mapo-gu, Seoul, it was reported, "Elderly patients who had appointments for flu vaccination today are worried about the vaccine's safety and are considering canceling," while the clinic recommended vaccination for elderly and children with weak immunity.

Experts expressed concern that the death case following flu vaccination could lead to vaccine phobia and urged high-risk groups to proceed with flu vaccinations as planned. Professor Eom Jung-sik of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Gil Medical Center said, "The case of death two days after flu vaccination requires a precise autopsy to confirm, but it appears to be a sudden death," adding, "Killed vaccines rarely cause direct fatal incidents." He further stated, "If people refuse the flu vaccine out of anxiety without confirmed direct links between death and the vaccine, it could lead to more dangerous situations, especially among the elderly," and recommended vaccination in preparation for the concurrent outbreaks of COVID-19 and influenza.

Medical professionals noted that the 17-year-old deceased had received a free flu vaccine supplied by Sinseong Pharmaceutical, which had issues with exposure to room temperature, emphasizing the need for thorough investigation and monitoring by health authorities. Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "The death of a 17-year-old is unexpected as it is not an elderly person and there are no similar precedents," adding, "Some vaccines supplied to middle and high school students aged 13 to 18 were suspended due to room temperature exposure and resumed after inspection by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Therefore, it is important for the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency to conduct a thorough cause analysis to alleviate public anxiety."