"Should I Pay for a Flu Shot Even Though I'm Eligible for Free Vaccination?"

Health Authorities "National Vaccination Recommended for Free Eligible Recipients"
No Restriction on Paid Vaccinations... Both Paid and Free Use Quadrivalent Vaccines
Quality Inspection of Vaccines Suspected of Room Temperature Exposure, Conclusion Expected as Early as Next Week

A citizen is receiving a flu vaccination at a hospital in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. <이미지:Yonhap News>

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] It has been about ten days since the authorities partially suspended the national influenza (flu) vaccination program. Following reports that some of the vaccines intended for free vaccination of middle and high school students were exposed to room temperature during transportation to various regions, the health authorities temporarily halted all national vaccination programs late at night on the 21st.

Originally, free vaccinations were scheduled to begin on the 22nd for middle school students, who are the primary target group, but this schedule was postponed. After a joint investigation by related ministries during the Chuseok holiday period, free vaccinations for middle and high school students are expected to resume as early as next week. Vaccinations for children under 12 and pregnant women, which were also suspended simultaneously from the 22nd, resumed earlier on the 25th.

Following news of the room temperature exposure, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of people eligible for free national vaccinations who are choosing to pay for flu vaccines instead. Their reasoning is either that they cannot wait until next month or that they doubt the quality of the free flu vaccines. Neither of these concerns is scientifically supported.

Amid the temporary suspension of the national free influenza vaccination program, a notice for free flu vaccinations is posted at a hospital in Seoul on the 22nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The timing of vaccinations is determined by considering the period after vaccination when immunity develops (usually two weeks) and the expected epidemic period of the disease. Flu typically spreads from November, and this year, due to COVID-19-related social distancing and hygiene measures being well observed, it is expected to spread more slowly than usual. The initial plan to vaccinate middle and high school students starting in late September was intended to reduce congestion in medical institutions. The earlier start compared to last year was for this reason. Even with a delay of about two weeks, there should be no significant impact on the effectiveness of flu prevention.

Free and paid vaccination targets are divided by age, but most use the same vaccine products, which is why there is no need to worry about quality differences. The difference between free and paid vaccines lies only in the distribution channels, not in quality. The vaccines for children under 12 and pregnant women were supplied to medical institutions under government contracts before the recent issue arose. The vaccines involved in the recent problem were those intended for children aged 13 to 18.

On the afternoon of the 29th, a free flu vaccination notice was posted in front of a hospital in downtown Seoul.

National Vaccinations Started a Month Earlier Than Last Year
"Cautious Due to COVID-19" Flu Spread Expected to Be Less Than Last Year
Domestic Vaccine Supply: 10 Companies, 12 Products

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, a total of 29.64 million doses of flu vaccines, including paid vaccines, will be supplied domestically this year. There are 10 domestic manufacturers and importers supplying flu vaccines in Korea. Regardless of where the vaccination takes place, one of the 12 vaccines from these 10 companies will be administered. Shinseong Pharmaceutical, which has procurement contracts with the government, acts as a wholesaler, securing supplies from manufacturers and importers and distributing them to medical institutions. Shinseong Pharmaceutical will supply vaccines from seven companies, including Green Cross, LG Chem, Boryung Biopharma, Ilyang Pharmaceutical, Korea Vaccine, Sanofi Pasteur, and SK Bioscience.

In addition to these seven, Dong-A ST, Boryung Pharmaceutical, and GlaxoSmithKline also supply vaccines domestically. Dong-A ST purchases raw materials from Sanofi, and Boryung Pharmaceutical buys raw materials from Green Cross to produce vaccines. GSK imports finished products manufactured in Germany. Based on raw material manufacturers, five companies are responsible for all domestic flu vaccines. Only SK Bioscience uses a cell culture method; all other companies produce vaccines using embryonated eggs. Some products are not approved for children under 36 months (3 years), but all vaccines have been approved by regulatory authorities.

Until last year, free vaccination recipients received trivalent vaccines, but this year both paid and free vaccinations use quadrivalent vaccines. The vaccines used in the national vaccination program are selected based on the World Health Organization’s recommendations, considering the epidemic patterns in the Southern Hemisphere during the summer. Paid vaccinations vary by medical institution and cost between 25,000 and 40,000 KRW.

In conclusion, health authorities recommend that those eligible for national vaccinations receive free vaccinations according to the designated schedule. However, considering that many elderly people tend to visit medical institutions at the start of the free vaccination period, timing should be well coordinated. Typically, vaccination rates among the elderly exceed 80%. This year, vaccinations for those aged 75 and older will begin sequentially from the 13th of next month. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency stated, "We recommend that those eligible for free vaccinations follow the government’s schedule for resuming vaccinations," but also added, "There is no restriction on paid vaccinations, so it is not mandatory to receive only free vaccinations."

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