Medical Association: "Flu Vaccination Resumes from the 30th"

KMA to Resume Flu Vaccinations from the 30th
KMA: "Decision Made Considering Flu Outbreak and Death Report Investigations"

On the 26th, when the government resumed free influenza vaccinations for seniors aged 62 to 69, citizens lined up in front of a hospital in Seoul to receive their flu shots. After restarting free vaccinations for children under 12 and pregnant women on September 25, for those aged 13 to 18 on October 13, and for those aged 70 and above on October 19, this marks the final age group for the resumed vaccinations. Regarding the recent 48 deaths following flu vaccinations, the government announced on the 23rd that there is no correlation and that vaccinations will continue. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The Korean Medical Association (KMA) has decided to resume influenza (flu) vaccination starting from the 30th of this month.

On the 28th, the KMA stated, "Considering that the flu season is approaching and ongoing investigations into reported death cases are being conducted mainly by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, we have decided to resume flu vaccinations from the 30th."

The KMA emphasized, "It is not that there is no causal relationship between flu vaccination and death, but rather that it has not yet been clarified. The government should conduct vaccinations and investigations while considering the very low possibility related to the flu vaccine or the possibility of previously unknown complications."

The KMA also stressed, "Under this special awareness, patients who have progressed to severe illness after flu vaccination should be thoroughly analyzed to draw strict scientific conclusions regarding the causality between vaccination and death."

Furthermore, the KMA pointed out, "The government must reform the crisis management communication system, strengthen the adverse vaccination reaction reporting center and compensation system, and provide clear scientific evidence regarding the previously identified issues with the flu vaccine so that healthcare workers and the public can receive vaccinations without worry."

The KMA also presented basic guidelines for patients receiving flu vaccinations. The KMA advised, "Vaccinees should fill out the pre-vaccination questionnaire in detail, remain at the medical institution for 30 minutes after vaccination for observation, and only then return home. If any abnormal symptoms occur after vaccination, the patient or guardian should immediately report and seek treatment at an emergency medical institution."

The KMA emphasized the need to establish a post-vaccination management system for the elderly and patients with underlying conditions. The KMA stated, "Currently, reported deaths after vaccination are concentrated among the elderly and high-risk patients with underlying diseases, who are the primary targets of flu vaccination. These individuals require close observation by guardians for three days after vaccination, and the government should establish a focused monitoring system for elderly living alone."

Additionally, the KMA added, "If there is even a slight suspicion of causality between vaccination and progression to severe illness or death in vaccinated individuals, a free medical expense compensation system should be established for those patients."

The KMA urged, "Appropriate measures must be prepared to prevent any damage to medical institutions related to the reporting of post-vaccination death cases."

On the 22nd of this month, the KMA had announced, "Since the causal relationship between reported deaths after vaccination has not been clearly established, we recommend suspending all national and general flu vaccinations currently being conducted for one week (October 23 to 29)." The KMA had sent notices to frontline hospital and clinic members to temporarily halt vaccinations at medical institutions.