Cumulative 108 Death Reports After Flu Vaccination... "No Causality in 107 Cases" (Summary)

Health authorities judged on the 28th that 107 out of 108 reported deaths following this year's influenza (flu) vaccination were not causally related. The photo shows citizens receiving flu shots. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The number of people reported to have died after receiving the influenza (flu) vaccine this year has increased to 108. Health authorities have determined that 107 of these cases have no causal relationship between the flu vaccination and death.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 28th, since the start of the '2020-2021 seasonal influenza vaccination,' a total of 108 cases have been reported as deaths occurring within a few days after vaccination as of midnight on that day. The KDCA stated, "Among the total 108 reported deaths following influenza vaccination, 107 cases were judged through epidemiological investigations and damage investigation committee reviews to have no causal relationship between the deaths and the vaccination." The remaining one case is currently under epidemiological investigation by health authorities and experts.

Among the reported deaths so far, 81.5% (88 people) were aged 70 or older. By age group, those aged 80 and above accounted for the largest number with 48 cases, followed by 40 cases in their 70s, and 10 cases each in their 60s and under 60. The highest number of death reports, totaling 60 cases, occurred during the third week of October (October 19?25), when free vaccinations for seniors aged 70 and above began.

As of midnight on that day, approximately 13.37 million influenza vaccinations had been administered domestically. Among the total 19,583,865 people eligible for the national free vaccination program?including infants aged 6 months to under 12 years, pregnant women, those aged 13 to 18, those aged 62 and above, and recipients of disability pensions, allowances, and medical benefits?13,370,832 vaccinations were administered, resulting in a vaccination rate of 68.3%. As of midnight on that day, 2,002 cases of adverse reactions such as fever and local reactions after receiving this year’s flu vaccine were reported, but none have been confirmed to have a causal relationship with the vaccination.