"Trust the Flu Shot and Get Vaccinated" Jung Se-kyun, Park Neung-hoo, and Jung Eun-kyung Also Receive Vaccination... Will It Ease Anxiety?

Jeong Eun-kyung to Receive Flu Vaccine Today (29th)
Damage Investigation Team Analyzes 46 Deaths... "No Link to Vaccine"
Experts: "Vaccination Important... Transparency Needed to Alleviate Public Anxiety"

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, is explaining about the supply of influenza (flu) vaccines after concluding the regular briefing on the novel coronavirus infection held at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in Cheongju, Chungbuk Province, on the afternoon of the 25th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] As cases of death following influenza (flu) vaccination continue, public anxiety is growing. In response, Prime Minister Jeong Seyeon and officials from the Ministry of Health and Welfare have personally taken part in relay vaccinations to encourage inoculation. Experts have suggested that thorough investigations should be conducted to alleviate public concerns.

On the 26th, the Disease Control and Prevention Agency's Vaccine Injury Investigation Team reviewed epidemiological investigations and autopsy results for 46 out of 59 reported deaths with severe adverse reactions as of midnight that day. The investigation found no causal relationship between the vaccine or vaccination and the deaths.

The investigation team, after reviewing basic investigations, epidemiological studies, and autopsy results for these 46 individuals, cited the following reasons: △ no signs suggesting adverse vaccine reactions in the deceased, △ a high likelihood of death due to exacerbation of underlying conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, liver cirrhosis, arrhythmia, chronic pulmonary disease, or cancer, and △ clear alternative causes of death found in autopsies, such as aortic dissection, cerebral hemorrhage, and pulmonary artery thromboembolism.

Based on these findings, the investigation team maintained that it is not yet time to reconsider specific vaccines or to halt the national immunization program.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun visited the Yeondong-myeon Health Center in Sejong City on the afternoon of the 21st and received an influenza (flu) vaccination. Photo by Yonhap News

Despite this situation, as anxiety about the vaccine persists, Prime Minister Jeong Seyeon and officials from the Ministry of Health and Welfare have personally received vaccinations.

According to the Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 28th, Director Jeong Eun-kyung is scheduled to receive a flu vaccination today (the 29th).

Earlier, Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo received a vaccine on the 27th at a clinic-level medical institution in Sejong City. Minister Park, who is 64 years old this year, was vaccinated in line with the free flu vaccination program for those aged 62 to 69, which runs from October 26 to December 31.

After completing his flu vaccination, Minister Park said, "I apologize for the recent public anxiety and concerns regarding influenza vaccination. Excessive fear and misinformation can actually undermine safety." He urged, "The public should trust expert judgment, participate in flu vaccination, and observe vaccination precautions such as monitoring health before and after vaccination."

Prime Minister Jeong also received a flu vaccine on the 21st at the Yeondong-myeon Health Center in Sejong City, in accordance with the vaccination schedule for those aged 70 and above.

Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo received an influenza (flu) vaccination at a hospital in Sejong City on the afternoon of the 27th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Upon hearing about the vaccinations of government officials and health authorities, citizens expressed increasing willingness to get vaccinated, saying things like, "I feel reassured to get vaccinated following the recommendations," and "I was initially hesitant, but hearing that Director Jeong Eun-kyung is getting vaccinated made me decide to get mine tomorrow."

A member of a parenting community said, "Honestly, when the first death was reported, I was unsure whether to get the shot. I was scared because I thought side effects could affect my family. But seeing the Ministry of Health say there is no link between the deaths and the vaccine, and officials getting vaccinated, I feel it’s safe to get it."

On the other hand, the Korean Medical Association (KMA) pointed out that the government’s announcement denying a causal link between the flu vaccine and deaths cannot be conclusively accepted.

On the 28th, the KMA released a 'Recommendation Regarding Influenza Vaccine Vaccination,' stating, "It cannot be definitively concluded that there is no causal relationship between flu vaccination and deaths. This remains unknown. Clear scientific evidence regarding previously identified issues with the flu vaccine must be provided."

As conflicting views emerge between health authorities and the medical association, distrust toward flu vaccination is not uncommon. This is partly because, although the causal link between the vaccine and deaths is considered low, definitive results have not yet been released.

Concerns have been heightened due to previous issues such as suspension of the program caused by exposure to room temperature during distribution, detection of white particles, and a surge in reports of adverse reactions including deaths.

The government and health authorities maintain that participating in flu vaccination and carefully monitoring health before and after vaccination while following precautions will prevent problems.

For safe flu vaccination, health authorities emphasize the following precautions: △ drink plenty of fluids while waiting for vaccination, △ inform medical personnel of any current symptoms, chronic diseases, or allergy history during pre-vaccination screening, △ remain under observation at the medical facility for 15 to 30 minutes after vaccination to monitor for adverse reactions, and △ rest on the day of vaccination to avoid physical strain.

Experts analyze that if elderly individuals adhere to these precautions, mortality rates will also decrease.

Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "While the association between flu vaccination and death in the elderly is considered low, there have been many issues such as exposure to room temperature and detection of white particles related to the vaccine. Additionally, delays in further announcements about death cases have eroded trust."

Professor Kim added, "To alleviate anxiety, it is necessary to limit the number of daily vaccinations so that people can be vaccinated in a comfortable environment. This could reduce mortality rates. While participation of ministers and others in vaccination can increase vaccination rates, to address the root cause, scientific transparency regarding vaccine quality inspections and investigation results is essential."

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