Pohang City Reverses Decision to Postpone 'Flu Vaccination'... "Proceeding as Scheduled"

The scene in front of a hospital in Seoul on the 26th, when the government resumed free flu vaccinations for seniors aged 62 to 69. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Dong-wook] Regarding the series of deaths following influenza vaccine administration, Pohang City, which had recommended citizens temporarily suspend vaccinations, reversed its stance three days after the decision and announced on the 26th that it will "proceed as scheduled."

Earlier, on the 22nd, Pohang City along with several other local governments decided to postpone influenza vaccinations for a week (from the 23rd to the 29th), and on the 23rd, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency stated that "local governments should not make decisions unilaterally without consulting health authorities."

Pohang City's reversal was made during an emergency meeting held on the 25th. In a press release sent on the 26th, Pohang City explained, "Based on the official announcements from the Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s Vaccination Damage Investigation Team (on the 23rd) and the Vaccination Expert Committee (on the 24th) that the causality between death cases and vaccination is very low, we have decided to proceed with the national vaccination support program as scheduled."

A Pohang City official advised, "For safe vaccination, since the influenza epidemic level is lower than usual and the epidemic period is likely to be delayed, it is better not to rush the vaccination and to get vaccinated on a day when you are in good health."