83 Deaths After Influenza Vaccination... 85.5% Aged 70 and Over (Update)

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 on September 25 for those aged 12 and under and pregnant women, on October 13 for those aged 13 to 18, and on the 19th for those aged 70 and above, 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 Cho Hyun-ui] The number of deaths following influenza (flu) vaccination this year has increased to over 80.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 31st, as of midnight, the number of deaths after flu vaccination was counted at 83. Among these, 72 cases were found to have a very low causal relationship between death and vaccination based on epidemiological investigations and the Vaccine Injury Investigation Committee's review. The remaining 11 cases are currently under epidemiological investigation.

Most of the deceased were elderly aged 70 and above. By age group, those in their 70s accounted for the largest number with 37, followed by those aged 80 and above with 34, under 60 with 8, and those in their 60s with 4. Those aged 70 and above totaled 71, accounting for 85.5% of the total.

Looking at the regional death report status, Seoul had the highest number with 13, followed by Gyeonggi 12, Gyeongnam 10, Daegu 8, Jeonbuk 8, Jeonnam 8, Gyeongbuk 6, Chungnam 4, Daejeon 3, Busan 3, Incheon 1, Gangwon 2, Chungbuk 2, Gwangju 1, and Jeju 1.

The elapsed time from vaccination to death was 48 hours or more in 50 cases (60.2%), and less than 24 hours in 13 cases (15.7%).

As of midnight on this day, approximately 17.08 million flu vaccinations have been administered this year. Among 18,984,084 people eligible for the national free vaccination program, 11,556,994 have completed vaccination, resulting in a vaccination rate of about 60.9%. There have been 1,669 reports of adverse reactions to the flu vaccine, but a causal relationship with vaccination has not yet been confirmed.

The KDCA held a rapid response meeting of the Vaccine Injury Investigation Committee the day before to review the causality of one additional death case. As a result, it was judged that the causal relationship between death and vaccination is very low.

The KDCA explained, "This did not correspond to anaphylaxis, which is an acute symptom occurring immediately after vaccination," and added, "Also, after checking for adverse reactions among those vaccinated at the same medical institution, on the same date, and with the same lot number, no adverse reaction cases were found, so the possibility of vaccine defects or errors in the vaccination process is low."

The National Forensic Service has conducted autopsies on 40 of the 83 reported death cases as of the day before, while 33 cases were not autopsied. The status of autopsy for 10 cases is being confirmed. Investigations are ongoing for 11 additional death cases confirmed from the 29th to the day before.

Jung Eun-kyung, director of the KDCA, said, "The level of influenza outbreak is lower than usual and the outbreak period is likely to be delayed, so please do not rush to get vaccinated and receive vaccination on a day when you are in good health."