Free Flu Vaccinations for Those Aged 70 and Over Starting Tomorrow... Ages 62-69 from the 26th

"Carry Your ID and Be Sure to Wear a Mask"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Free influenza vaccinations for those aged 70 and over will begin tomorrow. Those aged 62 to 69 can receive vaccinations starting from the 26th.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), the national influenza vaccination support program for the elderly will start on the 19th.

The KDCA stated, "When visiting vaccination centers, please bring your resident registration card or National Health Insurance card to verify eligibility for free vaccination," and added, "To prevent COVID-19, please wear a mask when visiting medical institutions and maintain proper social distancing while waiting."

The KDCA checked the supply status of influenza (flu) vaccines ahead of the program for seniors aged 62 and over.

The total distributed amount is 28.98 million doses (one dose per vaccination), an increase of 5.07 million doses compared to last year.

As of the 15th, the total approved influenza vaccine shipments amount to 29.29 million doses. Excluding 1.06 million doses recalled due to room temperature exposure and white particle detection during distribution, the national procurement vaccine quantity is 12.18 million doses.

The KDCA said, "Vaccines recalled due to concerns about room temperature exposure were fully collected by the 12th, and the recall of vaccines from Korea Vaccine Co., Ltd. due to white particle detection was completed as of the 16th."

Vaccine shortage still persists for children aged 6 months to 12 years
KDCA "Medical institutions available for vaccination can be found through public health centers"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The KDCA is currently addressing the shortage of vaccines for the national immunization program targeting children aged 6 months to 12 years. Local public health centers are monitoring influenza vaccine supply and vaccination status by medical institution through the Integrated Disease Management System and guiding available medical institutions for vaccination.

There are a total of 10,207 designated medical institutions nationwide for the pediatric vaccination program, including pediatric clinics, otolaryngology clinics, family medicine clinics, and internal medicine clinics. Vaccination-available designated medical institutions can be confirmed through the local public health centers.

The KDCA reported that as of 5 p.m. on the 15th, there have been a total of 314 reports of adverse events following influenza vaccination with no confirmed causal relationship, and no reports of severe adverse reactions.

Among these, 76 reports were related to vaccines recalled due to room temperature exposure and white particle detection. The main symptoms were mostly mild, such as local reactions, fever, and allergies, the KDCA explained.

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the KDCA, said, "Influenza vaccination is the most reliable way to protect health during winter, and we strongly recommend that elderly people with weakened immunity get vaccinated. We also ask public health centers and designated medical institutions to cooperate to ensure priority groups can receive vaccinations."

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