[Q&A Summary] 1,362 People Vaccinated with Room Temperature Exposed Vaccines Surge... Management Gaps

KDCA "Ongoing tally of problematic vaccine administration status... Total 4 adverse reactions"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The number of people nationwide who received influenza (flu) vaccines exposed to room temperature has ballooned to 1,362 across 15 cities and provinces. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) released reference data on the 30th of last month, stating, "The 1,362 cases were identified through local governments as of the 28th of last month," and added, "We are continuously investigating and tallying cases where the suspended vaccine doses were used."

This incident of room temperature-exposed vaccine administration occurred amid a mix of government-procured and paid private doses, revealing comprehensive management loopholes. In fact, one medical institution confirmed that 60 people who received paid vaccinations were actually vaccinated with the government's free doses. Additionally, there were numerous cases where medical institutions administered vaccines without recognizing the suspension notice from the government. The KDCA explained, "Vaccinations administered before the program started on September 21 and after the suspension notice on September 23 are cases of non-compliance with the national influenza vaccination program guidelines," and "Vaccinations on the suspension day, September 22, were cases where the suspension was not recognized."

Currently, the KDCA is conducting additional investigations into cases where the suspended vaccine doses were used and is monitoring adverse reactions. As the government investigation progresses, anxiety is increasing due to the rapid rise in the number of people vaccinated with room temperature-exposed vaccines.

Below is a summary of key points from the KDCA's Q&A released regarding the temporary suspension of the national influenza vaccination program.

Q. Initially, health authorities said no one had received the problematic vaccine doses. However, as of the 28th of last month, 1,362 people have been recorded as having received vaccines exposed to room temperature. Could this number increase further?

A. Cases before the program started account for 868 people (63.7%), and cases after the suspension notice account for 315 people (23.1%), making up the majority (86.9%) of the total identified cases. We will continue to verify and tally cases of using the suspended doses through local governments and announce updates accordingly.

Q. The total number of government-procured vaccine doses under investigation is 1,362. What is the status by region?

A. ▲Seoul 70 cases ▲Busan 109 cases ▲Daegu 46 cases ▲Incheon 213 cases ▲Daegu 46 cases ▲Gwangju 40 cases ▲Daejeon 10 cases ▲Sejong 51 cases ▲Gyeonggi 225 cases ▲Chungbuk 1 case ▲Chungnam 74 cases ▲Jeonbuk 326 cases ▲Jeonnam 31 cases ▲Gyeongbuk 148 cases ▲Gyeongnam 10 cases ▲Jeju 8 cases.

Q. Are there any adverse reactions among those who received the room temperature-exposed flu vaccine?

A. So far, there have been 3 additional reported adverse reaction cases, totaling 4. The first case involved pain at the injection site, which has since improved. The additional cases include one fever, one chills and muscle pain, and one bruising at the injection site, totaling 3 cases.

Q. What measures have been taken against medical institutions that did not comply with the national influenza vaccination program guidelines?

A. Termination of consignment contracts with medical institutions and follow-up measures are being reviewed and implemented by local governments after detailed investigations of the cases. Further details will be provided as they become available.

Q. In Incheon, 122 hospitalized patients at a nursing hospital were vaccinated with government-procured doses, and 3 of them died.

A. Three deaths (aged 86, 88, and 91) were confirmed. According to expert advisory meetings, these deaths are considered to be due to worsening underlying conditions rather than a causal relationship with the influenza vaccine. No adverse reactions were identified in other patients vaccinated at the institution.

Q. Due to concerns about room temperature-exposed vaccines, some free vaccination recipients are opting for paid vaccinations. How many free vaccination candidates have received paid vaccinations?

A. Only statistics on free vaccination recipients are available, and it is difficult to accurately determine the number of paid vaccine recipients. We ask for your understanding.

Q. The investigation of the problematic vaccines takes two weeks. Will vaccinations be able to resume from October 6, after the Chuseok holiday?

A. The vaccine investigation will continue during the holiday period, and the decision on resuming vaccinations will be made based on the results.

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