Park Neung-hoo: "Trust Expert Judgment and Get the Flu Vaccine... I Also Got Vaccinated Today" (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Park Neung-hoo, the first deputy head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), urged the public to trust expert judgment and participate in influenza (flu) vaccination.

On the morning of the 27th, during the CDSCH meeting opening remarks, Deputy Head Park stated, "Excessive fear and misinformation, as seen during the COVID-19 prevention process, can rather undermine our safety."

Deputy Head Park said, "I believe many of the public have been worried recently about flu vaccinations," adding, "I ask the public to trust expert judgment and participate in vaccination, and I myself plan to get vaccinated today."

On the same day in the afternoon, Deputy Head Park will visit a medical institution in Sejong City to receive the flu vaccine. Born in 1956 and turning 64 this year, Minister Park plans to get vaccinated as free vaccinations for those aged 62 to 69 started on the 26th.

Cases with Unknown Infection Routes in the Past Two Weeks Decreased to 11.4%
High-risk Groups Such as the Elderly and Patients with Underlying Conditions Require More Careful Management

Deputy Head Park urged all sectors of society to strictly adhere to quarantine rules as cluster infections continue in nursing hospitals and other facilities related to COVID-19.

Deputy Head Park said, "It has been three weeks since we entered social distancing level 1," and added, "The number of domestic confirmed cases in the past two weeks was about 68, a slight increase compared to the previous two weeks." He explained, "Among confirmed cases in the past two weeks, cases with unknown infection routes decreased to 11.4% compared to 17.4% in the previous two weeks," and "the number of new cluster outbreaks also steadily decreased to 21."

Since easing social distancing to level 1, public transportation usage and card sales have increased, and daily movement and activities are recovering.

Deputy Head Park said, "The adjustment of distancing levels is not because the risk of COVID-19 has disappeared," but "to maintain a balance between quarantine and the economy, quarantine and daily life, and to transition to a sustainable long-term system." He warned, "If people mistakenly believe the risk has disappeared and become complacent thinking 'It won't happen to me,' the COVID-19 virus can exploit vulnerable spots and cause another crisis."

He emphasized that high-risk groups such as the elderly and patients with underlying conditions require more careful management and support.

Deputy Head Park said, "The quarantine authorities will do their best to alleviate difficulties such as infection risk and care gaps," and added, "Local governments and the public are also asked to show warm consideration and attention to those suffering from isolation from the outside."

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