Increasing Heatwaves and Cold Snaps... Government to "Assess the Impact of Climate Change on Public Health"

On the 27th, when a cold wave warning was in effect in most regions nationwide, citizens dressed in thick clothing hurried on their way to work at Gwanghwamun Intersection in Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As abnormal climate phenomena such as heatwaves and cold waves caused by climate change increase, the first-ever Climate Health Impact Assessment analyzing the correlation between climate and public health will be released next year, based on the judgment that the patterns of disease occurrence are changing accordingly.

Meanwhile, regarding the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, oral antiviral treatments will be introduced starting next month, and efforts will focus on administering the third dose of vaccination to the majority of the population to respond to the spread of variants such as Omicron.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced the '2022 Work Plan' containing these details on the 30th. The KDCA plans to evaluate the impact of climate change on public health, publish the results of the first Climate Health Impact Assessment in the first half of next year, and establish disease control policies to prepare for climate change based on these findings.

The KDCA explained that the shortened pandemic cycles of new and variant infectious diseases such as COVID-19 are influenced not only by increased global mobility but also by climate change factors, such as the 1.5-degree Celsius rise in global average temperature occurring 10 years earlier than expected. Therefore, it is necessary to proactively respond to changes in disease patterns caused by climate change. To this end, the KDCA emphasized the need to strengthen systematic evaluation and surveillance of health impacts caused by climate change.

This announcement marks the first release of the five-year Climate Health Impact Assessment introduced through the revision of the Framework Act on Health and Medical Services in August 2017. Since the revision, the KDCA has been developing related indicators and preparing evaluation guidelines. The assessment is conducted focusing on 31 indicators across three areas: heatwaves, air quality, and infectious diseases, using health insurance big data analysis, predictive modeling, and literature reviews. Furthermore, after the first results are disclosed, the KDCA will develop secondary evaluation indicators and improve the evaluation system, including assessment methods, to strengthen the scientific basis for climate change adaptation measures.

Additionally, the KDCA will enhance the operation of a health impact surveillance system for temperature changes such as heatwaves and cold waves, which significantly affect the public, and establish an information-sharing platform for this purpose.

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

Meanwhile, oral antiviral treatments to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic will be introduced in January next year. The government has already secured 362,000 doses of Pfizer's Paxlovid and 242,000 doses of Merck (MSD)'s Molnupiravir, and plans to acquire an additional 400,000 doses, totaling 1,004,000 doses. The additional secured doses are likely to be Paxlovid, which has already received emergency use authorization from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

The domestically produced antibody treatment, Celltrion's Regkirona, currently in use, will continue to be administered at nursing and general hospitals, residential treatment centers, and elderly care facilities where COVID-19 patients occur. A rapid supply system will also be operated to reduce the progression of mild cases to severe illness.

For next year's vaccination program, a budget of 2.6 trillion KRW has been allocated to purchase 90 million doses. Secured vaccines include 60 million doses of Pfizer and 20 million doses of Moderna. Additionally, 10 million doses of the domestically developed vaccine 'GBP510' by SK Bioscience are planned for pre-purchase. Furthermore, an option contract for an additional 60 million doses with Pfizer is in place, allowing the acquisition of up to 150 million doses next year. The second dose vaccination for 2.77 million children and adolescents aged 12 to 17 is being rapidly completed, while the decision on vaccinating 4.44 million children aged 5 to 11 is under continuous review.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Committee will strengthen the scientific basis for evaluating adverse reactions through analysis and expert consultation. Research projects will be conducted for in-depth analysis of major severe reported cases such as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, thrombocytopenic thrombosis, myocarditis, and pericarditis. To improve compensation efficiency, small claims reviews will be delegated to city and provincial governors.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Management of diseases other than COVID-19 will also be comprehensively strengthened. To prevent cervical cancer, the target group for free human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination will be expanded. Currently, only 12-year-old girls are eligible, but support will be extended to girls aged 13 to 17 and low-income women aged 18 to 26.

To eradicate tuberculosis, a major legally designated infectious disease, support for screening and treatment of vulnerable tuberculosis patients will be enhanced, and a specialized treatment management system for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis will be established. This includes eliminating blind spots through 'mobile tuberculosis screening' and the operation of 'permanent screening centers.'

Development of vaccines and treatments for new viruses to prepare for future public health threats will continue. Research and development (R&D) investment will increase to secure various vaccine platforms such as mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) vaccines, and capabilities for treatment development will also be strengthened.

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