Free vaccine immunizations for children, pregnant women, and the elderly will begin next month in preparation for the influenza (flu) epidemic this winter.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced on the 25th that it plans to start the national influenza vaccination program from September 22 to April 30 of next year. The targets are children aged 6 months to 13 years (born between January 2012 and August 2025), pregnant women, and seniors aged 65 and older (born before December 31, 1960), who are at high risk for severe infection.
Starting from September 22, the vaccination will be implemented for children eligible for two shots, followed by one-shot vaccinations for children and pregnant women on the 29th. On October 15, the national influenza vaccination will be sequentially administered starting with seniors aged 75 and over.
Vaccinations can be administered at nearby consigned medical institutions and health centers, regardless of the residential address, and individuals must bring identification.
This national influenza vaccination will switch from the existing quadrivalent vaccine to a trivalent vaccine in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the deliberations of the Immunization Advisory Committee. The trivalent vaccine excludes the 'B type Yamagata (Yamagata) virus antigens included in the quadrivalent vaccine. The United States, Japan, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom have already switched to the trivalent vaccine or plan to do so.
A representative from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said, 'Due to the absence of the corresponding antigen globally for a long time, we are switching to the trivalent vaccine,' and explained, 'It has been confirmed that there is no difference in effectiveness and safety compared to the quadrivalent vaccine.'
It is known that healthy adults have a prevention effectiveness of 70% to 90% from vaccination. Typically, defense antibodies are formed about two weeks after vaccination. Vaccines are crucial not only for preventing infection but also for reducing the risk of severe illness and death. After vaccination, individuals should stay at the vaccination site for 20 to 30 minutes to observe for any adverse reactions before going home and getting ample rest.
Im Seung-kwan, head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, noted, 'Since there is a month left until the start of the influenza vaccination, I hope local governments will thoroughly prepare for vaccine supply management, training of vaccination institutions, and promotion tailored to target groups,' and urged, 'Those eligible for national vaccinations should definitely receive the influenza vaccination to prepare for this winter's epidemic.'