2290 Suspected Flu Vaccine Recipients Exposed to Room Temperature... Gyeonggi Leads with Over 600 Cases

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] It has been revealed that 2,290 people at frontline medical sites received influenza (flu) vaccines suspected of being exposed to room temperature during the distribution process, leading to a suspension of vaccinations.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) released reference materials related to the influenza vaccination project on the 2nd, stating, "As of the 1st, 2,290 cases of government-procured vaccine administrations under investigation for possible room temperature exposure have been reported."

This is an increase of 380 people in one day compared to the 1,910 reported the previous day by the KDCA. Cases occurred in 15 provinces nationwide, excluding Gangwon and Ulsan.

By region, the numbers are as follows: Seoul 149, Busan 109, Daegu 105, Incheon 214, Gwangju 361, Daejeon 17, Sejong 51, Gyeonggi 673, Chungbuk 1, Chungnam 74, Jeonbuk 326, Jeonnam 31, Gyeongbuk 161, Gyeongnam 10, and Jeju 8.

Initially, the KDCA announced immediately after suspending vaccine use on the 22nd of last month that no one had received the problematic vaccine; however, since September 25, the numbers have steadily increased daily as follows: 105 → 224 → 324 → 407 → 873 → 1,362 → 1,910 → 2,290.

The KDCA previously confirmed that 'Sinseong Yakpum,' the company supplying the national procurement volume, violated cold chain distribution principles by leaving the refrigerated truck door open or placing products on the floor during vaccine delivery, and announced the suspension of the project on the night of the 21st.

The total amount of vaccine suspected of room temperature exposure and suspended from use is enough for 5.78 million people.

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