[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The government emphasized on the 25th that influenza (flu) vaccination should continue as the causal relationship between vaccination and death is very low.
Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office, "Vaccines are scientifically and historically proven means that can surely save countless lives."
Minister Park stated, "The 26 death cases reviewed so far by the Vaccination Expert Committee were all confirmed to have a very low causal relationship with vaccination in terms of temporal proximity, underlying diseases, and autopsy findings," adding, "Accordingly, we have decided to continue the vaccination program."
The government explained that considering the risk of the so-called 'twindemic,' where seasonal flu and COVID-19 simultaneously spread, the benefits of vaccination outweigh the side effects.
Minister Park said, "Seasonal flu is a dangerous infectious disease that causes about 3,000 deaths annually in Korea alone, and the benefits of vaccination far exceed the side effects." He added, "Considering the risk of simultaneous outbreaks of COVID-19 and seasonal flu, it is necessary to continue vaccination."
However, elderly people and those with underlying conditions are advised to get vaccinated when their health condition is stable.
Minister Park said, "Waiting for a long time in cold weather for vaccination itself poses a considerable risk to people with underlying diseases such as cardiovascular disease," and added, "Since health can rapidly deteriorate even from a small external shock like a vaccine, waiting time should be minimized through vaccination appointments."
While some local governments and hospitals have independently suspended vaccinations, Minister Park criticized the suspension as an "unscientific attitude."
He said, "Simply suspending vaccination without a causal relationship between vaccination and deaths is an unscientific attitude," and requested, "Please actively cooperate so that there is no discord in government-level responses, as this could further confuse the public."
Meanwhile, as of 1 p.m. the previous day, 48 cases of death reported after receiving the flu vaccine have been recorded.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
