After Cheoseo, Autumn... Importance of Flu Vaccination Increases Amid Twin-demic Concerns

A citizen in their 60s is receiving a free flu vaccination at a hospital in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As the summer heat subsides, the mornings and evenings are becoming chilly these days. According to the solar terms, Cheoseo (處暑), which marks the end of summer heat and the beginning of autumn, passed on the 23rd. With the weather getting colder again, there is a possibility of a 'twindemic' where influenza spreads alongside the still prevalent COVID-19, making the importance of influenza vaccination higher than ever. Especially since SK Bioscience, which held the number one market share for flu vaccines in Korea in 2020, has halted flu vaccine production to focus on COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing, fierce competition among companies aiming to capture market share is expected.

According to industry sources on the 25th, companies preparing to supply flu vaccines for this year's vaccination include GC Green Cross, Sanofi Pasteur, Boryung Biopharma, Ilyang Pharmaceutical, and Korea Vaccine. They are currently undergoing the national release approval process, which is the final quality check before the vaccines are distributed to the market. Actual vaccination is expected to begin next month.

The total national release quantity of flu vaccines this year is 28 million doses. 13 million doses will be used for the National Immunization Program (NIP), and the remaining vaccines will be distributed to the private sector for free vaccination.

GC Green Cross, which ranked first in the domestic flu vaccine market last year, has already started supplying its flu vaccine 'GC Flu Quadrivalent.' Supply began on the 22nd. Having recorded sales of 55.8 billion KRW domestically last year and achieved strong sales in the Southern Hemisphere where flu vaccination has already started, the company expects favorable sales performance this year as well.

Sanofi Pasteur is also preparing an aggressive campaign. Increasing the volume of flu vaccines compared to last year and advancing the supply schedule, they began nationwide distribution of 'Paxigrip Tetra' on the 10th. Generally, domestic vaccines have been supplied later than imported ones, but this year the supply was unusually advanced. This is because the flu virus expected to circulate worldwide this year is predicted to be the same strain. Typically, flu vaccines are manufactured sequentially for the Southern and Northern Hemispheres based on the virus strains forecasted by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, this year, since the circulating strains are expected to be the same, and Sanofi Korea requested the headquarters to expedite the production of Northern Hemisphere vaccines, the introduction was brought forward.

Woo Jae-kyung, head of the vaccine business division at Sanofi Korea, explained, “With the flu epidemic already occurring in Southern Hemisphere countries like Australia, there are concerns about a flu resurgence in Korea as well. Due to strict personal hygiene and social distancing over the past two years, flu did not spread, leading to decreased natural immunity and a latent population highly susceptible to influenza.”

Woo Jae-kyung added, “As the importance of flu prevention has increased this year, we have advanced the supply of flu vaccines so that all age groups over six months, including high-risk groups such as chronic disease patients, can be vaccinated in a timely manner.”

In fact, the government is also concerned that the flu season may start earlier this year. Unlike 2020 and last year, when high-intensity quarantine measures and thorough personal hygiene practices such as handwashing prevented the flu from spreading, this year the atmosphere has weakened, potentially advancing the flu season.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is supporting manufacturers and importers in various ways to ensure rapid supply of flu vaccines. For example, when importing vaccines with the same batch number as those already approved for release, testing is waived. Also, when manufacturing finished pharmaceuticals continuously from the same final bulk, content testing is exempted from the second batch onward, thereby shortening release times and enabling prompt vaccine supply.

Meanwhile, the MFDS has set vaccination rate targets for this year's national flu immunization support program at 85% for seniors aged 65 and over, 55% for pregnant women, and 80% for children. Children requiring two doses can start vaccination from the 21st of next month, and those requiring one dose from October 5. Pregnant women can begin vaccination from October 5, and seniors aged 65 and over will be vaccinated sequentially from October 12 according to age. Eligible individuals can receive free flu vaccinations at designated medical institutions or public health centers nearby.