Pohang City Suspends Flu Vaccinations "On Hold Until Safety Is Ensured"

Free Vaccinations Suspended from 23 to 29... "Vaccination Postponement Recommended for Private Medical Institutions as Well"

On the morning of the 22nd, a citizen is receiving a flu vaccination at the Seoul Eastern Branch of the Korea Association of Health Promotion in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] Amid a surge in death cases following recent influenza vaccinations, Pohang City has decided to suspend free vaccinations from the 23rd to the 29th.

On the previous day, Pohang City held an "Emergency Meeting on Influenza Vaccination" chaired by Mayor Lee Kang-deok and concluded to suspend vaccinations for one week "until the truth behind the deaths is clarified."

Pohang City explained that vaccinations will resume once evidence regarding the causality between deaths and vaccine administration, as well as safety, is secured.

A Pohang City official stated, "Since citizens are anxious, we have also recommended private medical institutions to suspend vaccinations for one week until safety is confirmed," and urged, "If any adverse symptoms occur among those vaccinated, please report immediately to the Nam-gu or Buk-gu Public Health Centers."

Meanwhile, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) continues to recommend vaccinations, citing that no specific link between vaccine administration and deaths has been confirmed. At a National Assembly audit on the 22nd, KDCA Commissioner Jung Eun-kyung mentioned the annual number of deaths caused by influenza, emphasizing, "Pneumonia or other complications can occur in the elderly or high-risk groups, and underlying diseases may worsen due to influenza, leading to death."