88 Deaths After Flu Vaccination... 83% Aged 70 and Over (Update)

On the 26th, when the government resumed free influenza vaccinations for seniors aged 62 to 69, citizens lined up in front of a hospital in Seoul to receive their flu shots. After restarting free vaccinations on September 25 for those aged 12 and under and pregnant women, on October 13 for those aged 13 to 18, and on the 19th for those aged 70 and above, this marks the final age group for the resumed vaccinations. Regarding the recent 48 deaths following flu vaccinations, the government announced on the 23rd that there is no correlation and that vaccinations will continue. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The number of deaths following influenza (flu) vaccination this year has increased to 88. Among them, 83 cases were confirmed to have a very low causal relationship between vaccination and death.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 3rd, the number of deaths after flu vaccination was counted as 88 as of midnight on that day. This is an increase of 5 from 83 on the 31st of last month.

Among all death cases, 83 were found to have a very low causal relationship between death and vaccination based on epidemiological investigations and review by the damage investigation team. The remaining 5 cases are currently under epidemiological investigation.

Among the deceased, 83.0% were aged 70 or older. Death reports were concentrated in the third week of October, when the national vaccination support project for seniors aged 70 and above began, and 69.3% (61 people) were reported from six regions including Seoul, Gyeonggi, Gyeongnam, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, and Daegu.

The time elapsed from vaccination to death was 48 hours or more in 52 cases (59.1%). Cases within 24 hours were 16 (18.2%).

The KDCA stated, "Among the 88 death cases reported as adverse reactions after vaccination, after reviewing epidemiological investigations, basic investigations, and autopsy results for 83 cases, it was found that it is difficult to recognize a causal relationship between death and vaccination," adding, "There is no situation to consider re-examination of the vaccine or suspension of the national vaccination program."

The National Forensic Service conducted autopsies on 44 of the total 88 reported death cases as of the previous day, while 43 cases were not autopsied. One case is under confirmation regarding whether an autopsy will be conducted. The additional 5 newly confirmed death cases are under investigation.

Meanwhile, as of midnight on the same day, about 17.6 million flu vaccinations have been administered. Among 18,984,084 people eligible for the national free vaccination program, 11,875,323 have completed vaccination, resulting in a vaccination rate of about 62.5%. Among these, 1,736 cases reported adverse reactions after receiving the flu vaccine, but a causal relationship with vaccination has not yet been confirmed.

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