Government "Reorganizing 'Medical Response System' to Prepare for Simultaneous Outbreak of Pediatric Seasonal Flu and COVID-19"

Focus on Influenza Vaccination for Children Under 13... Expansion of Pediatric Specialized Medical Resources
29,503 New COVID-19 Cases Reported

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The government is reorganizing and promoting the medical response system to prepare for the simultaneous outbreak of seasonal influenza and COVID-19 among the pediatric population. In addition, it will establish and announce a vaccination plan for Pfizer's bivalent vaccine targeting the Omicron variant, which recently received emergency use authorization.

On the 19th, Kim Seong-ho, the 2nd General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) and Director of the Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, stated in his opening remarks at the CDSCH meeting, "As the weather gets colder, the possibility of a resurgence is increasing," adding, "We will reorganize the medical response system to prevent the simultaneous spread of seasonal influenza and COVID-19 among the pediatric population."

The government will first focus on influenza vaccination for children aged 13 and under and plans to proactively prescribe antiviral drugs for children aged 9 and under.

Coordinator Kim explained, "We will focus on influenza vaccination for 4.39 million children aged 6 months to 13 years and proactively prescribe antiviral drugs for children aged 9 and under. To ensure the rapid hospitalization of pediatric patients, designated dedicated beds will be concentrated on responding to severe pediatric cases, and the utilization of general hospital beds within the community will also be activated."

To strengthen the response system during vulnerable hours, medical resources specialized for children will also be expanded. The vaccination plan for Pfizer's bivalent vaccine targeting the Omicron variant, which received emergency use authorization on the 17th, will be promptly established and announced.

Coordinator Kim said, "To strengthen the response system for pediatric confirmed cases during vulnerable hours such as nights and weekends, we will expand medical resources specialized for children, including Moonlight Children's Hospitals and pediatric medical consultation centers."

He continued, "Vaccination for high-risk groups, including the elderly, is essential, so we urge eligible individuals to actively participate in the ongoing winter vaccination campaign," adding, "We will also promptly establish and announce the vaccination plan for Pfizer's bivalent vaccine targeting the Omicron variant."

Meanwhile, the infection reproduction number last week was 0.89, remaining below 1 but showing an upward trend for three consecutive weeks. The number of new confirmed cases on this day was 29,503, slightly down from 30,519 last week.

The number of severe and critical patients currently hospitalized is 243, remaining in the 200s for the eighth consecutive day, and the number of deaths was recorded at 43.

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