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SEOUL: The Korea Disease Prevention and Control Agency (KDCA) said on Friday (Oct. 23) that it would continue a comprehensive flu vaccination program aimed at preventing complications from the coronavirus, after reviewing more than two dozen cases of deaths that have increased. public concern.
A review did not show a direct link between the vaccination and 26 deaths that were investigated, the KDCA said in a statement, adding that it planned to meet Saturday to review additional analysis.
The death toll among those who have been vaccinated reached 36 on Friday, prompting calls from doctors and politicians to halt the program, which aims to vaccinate about 30 million of the country’s 52 million people.
About 20 initial autopsy results from police and the National Forensic Service showed that 13 died of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and other disorders not caused by vaccination, while seven are undergoing further testing, KDCA said.
Both the forensic agency and police were not immediately contacted for comment.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and called for a thorough investigation to verify the exact cause of the deaths.
READ: South Korea suspends flu shots in setback for COVID-19 winter preparations
“Until now, experts said there was little chance that the shootings and deaths were related, but many citizens remain anxious,” he told a meeting.
The rising death toll has fueled debate over whether the program, which is free for some citizens, should be suspended. The country’s largest group of doctors called for it to stop until the safety of the vaccines is confirmed, while a major vaccine society said inoculation should continue as no link to deaths has been found.
NOTICE AGAINST SHOTS
Some local governments and district offices across the country have voluntarily advised residents not to get a flu shot or are considering suspending the program.
Vaccine suppliers include national companies such as GC Pharma, SK Bioscience, Korea Vaccine and Boryung Biopharma, a unit of Boryung Pharm, along with France’s Sanofi. They provide both the free program and the paid services.
Of those who died, 10 people received products from SK Bioscience, five from Boryung and GC Pharma, four from Sanofi and one from Korea Vaccine. There were no details on the last 11 cases.
KDCA Director Jeong Eun-kyeong said on Thursday that vaccines would continue to be supplied, but that the government might consider suspending some products that have identification numbers that match batches made at the same plant on the same day if more people die. when using them. A batch consists of about 150,000 doses.
READ: South Korea will ensure coronavirus vaccines for 60% of the population: PM Chung
It was not immediately clear if any of the vaccines made in South Korea were being exported or if those supplied by Sanofi were also being used elsewhere.
The four national firms declined to comment.
Sanofi referred to the KDCA findings, but said in a statement to Reuters that scientific assessments and monitoring were underway and that it would work closely with local health authorities.
South Korea ordered 20 percent more flu shots this year to avoid what it calls a “twin” of large simultaneous flu and COVID-19 outbreaks in winter.
So far, 9.4 million people have been vaccinated since the program began in September, and about 789 cases of adverse reactions have been reported, the KDCA said.
The KDCA reported 155 new coronavirus cases as of midnight Thursday, bringing the total infections to 25,698, with 455 deaths.
