Government to Proceed with Flu Vaccination as Scheduled
Free Flu Vaccination Resumes Today (26th) for Seniors Aged 62-69
Seoul Yeongdeungpo Health Center Announces Flu Vaccination Resumption Three Days After Suspension
Experts Say "No Issue with Vaccine Itself... Vaccination Should Continue"
On the 23rd, citizens are receiving flu vaccination shots at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Su-wan] As the number of deaths following influenza (flu) vaccination has surpassed 40, the government has concluded that the causal relationship between the deaths and the vaccine is low and decided to proceed with the vaccination schedule as planned. In particular, Yeongdeungpo-gu in Seoul, which had caused controversy for suspending vaccinations contrary to government recommendations, will resume vaccinations after three days.
However, despite the government's recommendations, citizens' anxiety about flu vaccination remains high. This is because reports of adverse reactions following flu vaccination continue to occur. Experts have suggested that the deaths related to flu vaccination are not due to the vaccine itself and that vaccinations should continue.
According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 26th, the government will start free flu vaccinations for seniors aged 62 to 69 from today. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun stated at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting the day before, "Respecting the scientific judgment of experts, we will begin vaccinations for seniors aged 62 to 69 as scheduled."
Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo also recommended continued participation in vaccination during a regular briefing, saying, "The benefits of the vaccine to prevent influenza far outweigh its side effects," amid growing public anxiety over the recent deaths following flu vaccinations.
Earlier, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) held a two-day meeting of the Vaccination Expert Committee from the 23rd to investigate the 48 deaths (as of the 24th) reported after flu vaccination.
The committee reviewed the causes of death and judged that the causal relationship with vaccination is low, concluding that it is not yet time to consider suspending the national vaccination program.
Additionally, last year, the proportion of elderly people who died within a week after receiving the flu vaccine was about 0.02% of all elderly vaccine recipients, and their causes of death were unrelated to vaccination. The KDCA explained that these deaths were due to underlying conditions unrelated to vaccination.
On the 24th, KDCA Director Jeong Eun-kyung explained at an emergency briefing on the flu vaccination program, "After reviewing the death cases so far, it is not yet time to consider re-evaluation of the vaccine or suspension of the national vaccination program. This year, under the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the possibility of simultaneous outbreaks, vaccination is very important, so we agreed to strengthen safety measures and continue the vaccination program."
However, despite these explanations from the government and health authorities, anxiety continues to spread, especially on mom cafes and similar online communities. One member posted on a bulletin board, "The government says it's okay to get the flu shot, but is it really safe?" and added, "I have children aged 4 and 10, and this year I plan not to vaccinate them. I am too anxious to get vaccinated, so I will focus on thorough personal hygiene like handwashing instead."
Other members expressed similar concerns, saying, "There is always a chance, so I am worried," "I still can't vaccinate my child," "I need more definite results to feel safe," and "Some districts have temporarily suspended vaccinations; I don't know which guideline to follow."
On the 22nd, the influenza vaccination counter at a hospital in Seoul appeared quiet. Photo by Yonhap News
Earlier, on the 22nd, the Yeongdeungpo-gu Public Health Center in Seoul recommended local medical institutions to suspend vaccinations after the first vaccine-related death occurred in the district. This guidance caused further confusion.
Subsequently, the health center instructed local medical institutions to resume vaccinations just three days after the suspension. On the 25th, the district sent emails and text messages stating, "According to the official announcement from the KDCA, we inform you to continue safe influenza vaccinations while adhering to preventive measures."
Given the situation, some voices have emerged calling for the government to suspend vaccinations temporarily due to concerns about the vaccine, citing the lack of clear causal evidence between the vaccine and deaths.
Recently, a petition titled "Flu Vaccine" was posted on the Blue House's public petition board. The petitioner stated, "The number of deaths among people who received the flu vaccine is continuously increasing," and criticized, "Despite this, they insist the vaccine is not the problem and will continue vaccinations. In such cases, a thorough investigation should be conducted to determine the cause of death and to check for any issues in vaccine manufacturing, distribution, storage, and administration before taking action." The petitioner further urged, "Please ban vaccinations temporarily to prevent more casualties, and if there are problems in vaccine manufacturing, distribution, or storage, hold the responsible parties strictly accountable under the law."
Reports of adverse reactions following vaccination are also increasing. According to the KDCA, as of the 23rd, among 14.27 million people vaccinated against the flu, 1,154 reported adverse reactions. Of these, 306 were from paid vaccinations and 848 from free vaccinations. Most reported allergic reactions (245 cases), followed by fever (204 cases) and local reactions (177 cases). Reports of deaths following flu vaccination totaled 48 (including 2 deaths after severe adverse event reports) as of the same date.
Experts urge vaccination, warning that if vaccination rates drop, COVID-19 and influenza could spread simultaneously.
Professor Lee Jae-gap of Hallym University’s Department of Infectious Diseases said in an interview with CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" on the 22nd, "I believe the deaths are not directly related to the vaccine. If there were problems linked to a specific vaccine or hospital, vaccinations would have already been suspended. If vaccination rates drop, COVID-19 and influenza could co-circulate, increasing mortality due to influenza-related complications."
There is also a view that vaccination is essential for the immunocompromised elderly and children. The Korean Vaccine Society recently stated, "Due to concerns about simultaneous outbreaks of COVID-19 and influenza this year, flu vaccination should continue for children, adolescents, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals with chronic diseases."
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