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Today (7th), the number of new corona patients is expected to be in the mid-80,000 range.
After the corona epidemic, the seasonal flu has been quiet, but it is said that the number of suspected flu patients is increasing this year.
The quarantine authorities predicted that this winter corona and seasonal flu could spread at the same time.
Reporter Nam Joo-hyun.
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the fourth week of last month, the number of suspected seasonal flu patients increased for three consecutive weeks to 4.3 per 1,000 people.
Although it is less than the prevalence standard of 5.8, the number is the highest since 2017 when comparing the same period.
Because the flu has been quiet for many years, fewer people have natural immunity, and even if they have been vaccinated, immunity declines over time.
It is also worth noting that in Australia, which is located in the southern hemisphere, where winter comes first, more than 210,000 people contracted the flu, which is higher than the average of 160,000 people in the five years before Corona.
The quarantine authorities said that it is highly likely that the corona and flu will spread simultaneously this winter.
Influenza vaccination is also important, and from the 21st, it is suitable for children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
The World Health Organization (WHO) issued guidelines last year that both vaccines can be administered together.
He also recommended administering different vaccines to the left and right arms.
[Lee Geun-hwa/Professor of the Department of Microbiology, Hanyang University: Because the target sites are different, theoretically, there is no such thing as a serious adverse reaction when both vaccines are administered at the same time.]
In Korea, among about 51,000 people who were vaccinated simultaneously last winter 115 people reported adverse reactions, 1 died after vaccination and 114 had mild symptoms.
The flu vaccine is just as effective as the COVID-19 vaccine, so it's best for the elderly and children.