Flu and COVID-19 Cases Surge: "Get Vaccinated Before the Lunar New Year Holiday"

As the spread of influenza (the flu) continues to expand and the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations is also increasing, health authorities have once again urged people to get vaccinated.

Suspected Influenza Cases Surge 2.4 Times

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 8th, during the last week of last year (December 22-28), there were 73.9 suspected influenza cases per 1,000 outpatients at 300 influenza sentinel surveillance medical institutions nationwide, a roughly 2.4-fold increase from 31.3 cases the previous week.

During the same period, there were 111 new COVID-19 hospitalizations under sentinel surveillance, about 1.7 times higher than the 66 cases the previous week.

The KDCA recommended getting vaccinated in advance, noting that during the Lunar New Year holiday, increased travel and gatherings could further spread influenza and COVID-19.

On the afternoon of the 6th, a pediatric specialty hospital in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, was crowded with patients and guardians seeking medical consultations. Photo by Yonhap News

As influenza (flu) spreads on the largest scale in eight years, visitors at a clinic in Jongno-gu, Seoul, are waiting for medical consultation and vaccination on the afternoon of the 7th. Photo by Yonhap News

As influenza (flu) spreads on the largest scale in eight years, a poster related to flu vaccination is displayed at a clinic in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 7th. Photo by Yonhap News

On the afternoon of the 6th, a pediatric specialty hospital in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, was crowded with patients and guardians seeking medical consultations. Photo by Yonhap News

KDCA Urges Vaccination for High-Risk Groups Such as Seniors and Children

Currently, the KDCA is offering influenza vaccinations to those aged 65 and older, pregnant women, and children aged 6 months to 13 years. COVID-19 vaccinations are also being provided to high-risk groups, including those aged 65 and older, residents and inpatients of infection-prone facilities aged 6 months and older, and immunocompromised individuals.

The KDCA explained that the influenza vaccine is highly similar to the influenza virus currently circulating, so sufficient preventive effects can be expected from vaccination. The COVID-19 vaccine also has the ability to form immunity against variant viruses currently prevalent in Korea, such as KP.3 and XEC, and the agency once again urged people to receive the JN.1 lineage vaccine. Medical institutions and public health centers offering influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations can be found on the Immunization Helper website.

Jeong Eun-kyeong, Commissioner of the KDCA, said, "To spend a safe and healthy Lunar New Year holiday with your family, we urge high-risk groups such as those aged 65 and older, pregnant women, and children who have not yet been vaccinated to get vaccinated in advance," and added, "We also ask guardians and family members of high-risk individuals to ensure they get vaccinated."