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A flu pandemic advisory has been issued nationwide for the first time in three years.

This is the first time it has been issued so early in September, and authorities have recommended that both the coronavirus vaccine and the flu vaccine are recommended.



This is reporter Hyung-woo Hyung.



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Out of 1,000 outpatients at hospitals and clinics last week, 5.1 suspected flu cases and 4.9 cases surpassed the epidemic advisory standard.



The government lowered the flu epidemic standard this year, saying that it is highly likely that the corona and flu will spread at the same time.



The advisory was issued early, and although it has been issued in October, it is the first time in September.



[Jung Jang-won / Director of Otolaryngology: If you have an upper respiratory tract (nose, throat) infection and fever, the number of corona patients was about 80%, I think it has dropped to about 50% now.

It seems that various viruses are slowly spreading.]



Flu and Corona can be distinguished to some extent.



[Jeong Ki-seok/Corona 19 Special Response Team (last 14 days): (The flu) is a symptom that starts suddenly.

I have a sudden fever, and suddenly my whole body aches and my head hurts and it starts like this.]



On the other hand, Corona has a longer incubation period and symptoms mainly appear with a sore throat.



Influenza and corona are the same respiratory diseases, but since they are different viruses, it is unlikely that they will be infected at the same time.



[Kim Woo-joo/Professor of Infectious Diseases, Korea University Guro Hospital: If (corona and flu) overlap at the same time, the aggravation rate will inevitably increase.

There are reports of people getting the flu first and then getting a secondary corona infection, which is more severe.] For



this reason, the quarantine authorities recommend that you get both the corona and flu vaccines.



On the day of your visit to the hospital, you can share your arms to receive the corona and flu vaccine.



The free flu vaccine will start on the 21st for children under the age of 9 who get their first dose.



Then, those under 13 years old and pregnant women can get married from the 5th of the next month, and the seniors over 60 years old from the 12th of the next month, in descending order of age.



(Video coverage: Kim Hak-mo, video editing: Choi Eun-jin)