Early influenza epidemics are speeding up vaccination rates. Most of the vaccine this year is a tetravalent vaccine that blocks four types of viruses, so it seems to be more effective.
This is Cho Dong-chan, a medical reporter.
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The flu vaccine takes effect two weeks following getting it.
As it is already in fashion, it is better to fit within this month.
[김형진/독감백신 접종 : 2년간 코로나를 겪다 보니까 이렇게 이제 호흡기 질병에 대해서 예전보다 더 관심을 갖게 돼서 (접종했습니다.)]
If you have a severe allergy to eggs, talk to your healthcare provider so you can get an egg-free vaccine.
[이영미/하나이비인후과병원 내과 전문의 : 하루, 이틀 정도는 너무 과격한 운동을 하시거나 술을 드시면 안 됩니다. 몸살이나 미열 같은 게 있다고 치면 타이레놀 같은 진통 소염제 복용하시면 되겠습니다.]
Those aged 65 and over, 6 months to 13 years old, and those aged 50 to 64 years old who are eligible for medical benefits, as well as persons with disabilities and residents of mental institutions can receive the vaccine free of charge.
Influenza vaccines are divided into trivalent and tetravalent, which block three types of viruses, and the tetravalent is slightly more effective, but it is more expensive by regarding 10,000 won.
In Korea, most of the quadrivalent vaccines are being supplied, including free vaccinations from this year.
Vaccination reduces the chance of getting the flu by regarding a third compared to people who do not get the vaccine.
The effectiveness of prevention varies from year to year.
Out of regarding 200 influenza viruses, the World Health Organization predicts 4 of them will be epidemic and makes a vaccine, but if these predictions are wrong, the effectiveness will decrease.
Still, severe cases can be prevented, reducing hospitalization and mortality.
The problem is that this effect declines significantly in people over 65 years of age.
So, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been recommending a high-dose vaccine that is four times the dose for those over 65 for three years, and it was found to be 24% more effective than the existing vaccine.
Our quarantine authorities are also discussing the introduction of high-dose vaccines for the elderly.
(Video coverage: Kim Won-bae, video editing: Nam Il, CG: Jo Soo-in, Jang Seong-beom)
