Second Wave This Fall... "Simultaneous Infection of COVID-19 and Flu Is Possible"

Will the Nightmare of the Spanish Flu 100 Years Ago Recur... Increased Mortality During Flu Season
"Chronic Disease Patients, Healthcare Workers, and Face-to-Face Service Workers Must Complete Vaccination"

Professor Ki Moran, Department of Preventive Medicine, Graduate School, National Cancer Center. Source=Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] As a second wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is expected this fall and winter, warnings have been issued that simultaneous infection with both COVID-19 and influenza (flu) can occur during the flu season. This has raised concerns that the Spanish flu cases from 100 years ago, which worsened due to the second and third waves, might be repeated.

Professor Ki Moran of the Department of Preventive Medicine at the National Cancer Center Graduate School said this on the 20th at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, during a forum titled "COVID-19 Second Crisis, What Should We Prepare For?" hosted by the office of Democratic Party lawmaker Park Yong-jin. She emphasized, "To prepare for the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, we must not only manage crowded facilities and expand diagnostic testing but also start preparing for flu vaccinations."

Initially, the medical community believed, based on reports from China, that the co-infection rate of COVID-19 patients with other respiratory viruses was 0%. However, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported last month that the co-infection rate with flu and other viruses is 21%. Professor Ki explained, "This is not much different from the 27% co-infection rate among COVID-19 negative individuals," adding, "This means it is possible to be infected with both COVID-19 and the flu simultaneously in winter." The World Health Organization (WHO) has also expressed concerns about a dual epidemic this winter involving a resurgence of COVID-19 alongside seasonal flu or measles.

Accordingly, there are calls to remember the lessons from the 1918 Spanish flu, which claimed 50 million lives. Professor Ki said, "Looking at the increase in deaths per 1,000 people in the UK at that time, the second wave occurring from October to December, during the flu outbreak, was five times higher than the first wave from June to July," adding, "There is a possibility that COVID-19 deaths may also increase during a second wave."

Professor Ki stressed the need to expand the target population for flu vaccinations to prepare for the second battle against COVID-19. He advised, "About 20 million people received flu vaccinations last year, but this year the number should increase to around 30 million," and "Among those eligible for free vaccinations, the number of people vaccinated should be expanded from 11.04 million last year to 20 million this year, which is about double."

He particularly pointed out the urgency of vaccinating vulnerable groups such as chronic disease patients and workers in group facilities. The government currently provides free flu vaccinations under the national immunization program only to children aged 6 months to 12 years, seniors aged 65 and older, and pregnant women. Professor Ki said, "The 5.95 million chronic disease patients, healthcare workers, group facility workers, and face-to-face service workers who are vulnerable to infection should also be added to the free vaccination target group," explaining, "This is because there is a risk of transmitting the flu to high-risk patients who are more likely to develop complications upon infection."

In fact, Australia has prepared a record-high 16.5 million doses of flu vaccine ahead of the full winter season to prepare for an increase in patients simultaneously infected with COVID-19 and the flu. Lawmaker Park said, "Since winter will start in about 5 to 6 months here as well, it is time to prepare," adding, "Before discussing the post-COVID-19 era, it is necessary to establish proper quarantine measures against COVID-19."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.