Flu and COVID-19 Spread Simultaneously Ahead of Vaccination Schedule

[Anchor]

Following COVID-19, the flu is also running rampant. Concerns over the spread are growing as flu vaccinations have not even started yet.

Reporter Jeong Banseok has the details.

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A mother holding her 6-month-old child visited a hospital in Seoul.

After her first child, an elementary school student, her third child has also contracted the flu.

[Chang Yeon-hee / Guardian of a 6-month-old: Both my children and I have never missed a single vaccination every year, but this year we hadn't gotten it yet because the vaccination period hasn't arrived. However, the flu came so suddenly now that I am very flustered.]

In the fourth week of last month, suspected flu patients stood at 13.3 per 1,000 outpatients, more than double the figure from the same period a year ago.

For elementary school students, the figure was 36.5 per 1,000, nearly three times the average across all age groups.

The outbreak of influenza has been increasing unusually since late August, and influenza is also spreading in countries like Japan and China.

While the exact cause has not yet been identified, the reopening of schools is believed to have influenced the spread.

[Bang Seung-jun / Pediatrician at Our Children's Hospital: The number of flu and COVID-19 patients has already been increasing significantly since August. The number of patients is surging sharply as things like the reopening of schools for children in September overlap....]

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency plans to issue an epidemic advisory as early as today (the 11th).

This is the earliest since 2009, when the swine flu was prevalent.

COVID-19 hospitalized patients also increased from 61 to 109 within a week, raising concerns about a simultaneous epidemic.

[Park Wan-beom / Professor of Infectious Diseases at Seoul National University Hospital: Since COVID-19 and the flu can spread simultaneously, it seems necessary to get vaccinated against both COVID-19 and the flu a bit earlier.]

Flu vaccinations for children and pregnant women will begin on the 21st of this month, and for those aged 65 and older, on the 12th of next month.

Since it takes two weeks for antibodies to form, the virus could spread further during the Chuseok holiday.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency urged citizens to get vaccinated as soon as possible according to the schedule and to follow personal hygiene rules such as washing hands and wearing masks.

(Video Journalist: Ha Ryung, Video Editor: Yoon Tae-ho, Designer: Kim Han-gil)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.