Flu Epidemic Continues... 'Two Weeks to Form Antibodies,' Timely Vaccination Crucial

As this year's influenza (flu) epidemic is spreading earlier than last year and temperatures have dropped significantly recently, the overall risk of respiratory infectious diseases is increasing.

It is most important for children and the elderly to get vaccinated against the flu at the right time to prevent infection and avoid worsening into severe illness.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), the flu vaccination rate for seniors aged 65 and older was tallied at 58.7% as of 6:00 p.m. on October 22.

This is slightly lower than the vaccination rate of 60.8% during the same period last year.

The vaccination rate for children aged 6 months to 14 years old stands at 48.6%, surpassing the 36.0% recorded during the same period last year.

Although sample surveillance results by the KDCA show that the number of suspected flu patients has turned to a downward trend recently, the epidemic remains at a high level compared to last year, making it advisable to observe personal hygiene rules and get vaccinated.

During the 42nd week of this year (October 17 – 19), the number of suspected flu patients per 1,000 outpatients at clinic-level medical institutions was counted at 17.7.

While this decreased compared to 21.6 in the previous week, it is more than double compared to the 7.9 recorded during the same period last year.

As the weather turns fully chilly, the flu could spread more fiercely, so it is recommended to get vaccinated before it gets colder.

Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that defend against the virus to form, vaccination should not be delayed too long.

In addition, even if you received a flu vaccine last year, you must get a new one this year to see the effects.

Currently, the KDCA is conducting national flu vaccinations for those aged 65 and older, pregnant women, and children aged 6 months to 14 years.

National flu vaccinations can be received at nearby consigned medical institutions or public health centers regardless of one's residential address.

Among them, seniors aged 65 and older are advised to receive both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines simultaneously.

The COVID-19 vaccination rate for seniors aged 65 and older stood at 28.2% as of 6:00 p.m. on October 22, surpassing the 25.1% recorded during the same period last year.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.