Influenza Outbreak: Which Influenza Vaccine Do Doctors Choose?

Hello, this is Merry Plastic Surgery Clinic.

As the weather has turned chilly, influenza has already started to spread. Today, let’s look at which vaccine is best to choose. Since many of you may be wondering about this—not only those who are eligible for free vaccinations, but also parents of babies receiving their first shot—and because the price also varies depending on the type of vaccine, I’ve put this together for you. Please take a careful look and make your choice!!

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Vaccination Guidelines (2023)

Standards and Methods for Vaccination (2023) The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency published a book called Standards and Methods for Vaccination last year, which I referred to.

Do I need to get the flu (influenza) vaccination?

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Vaccination Guidelines (2023) Since the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in vaccination has increased, but it is also true that reluctance toward vaccination has grown. Should young and healthy adults get the flu (influenza) vaccination?

When a healthy adult receives an inactivated vaccine and the antigenicity of the vaccine strain and the circulating viral strain match, the preventive effect is about 70–90%. The preventive effect of the influenza vaccine in older adults is lower, at 30–40%, but it is known to be 50–60% effective in preventing hospitalization due to influenza, and about 80% effective in preventing death from influenza. Therefore, vaccination is especially aimed at reducing severe illness and death in older adults.

How long does the effect of the flu (influenza) vaccination last?

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Vaccination Guidelines (2023) There are two things to consider regarding how long immunity lasts after vaccination.

First, the antibodies produced after vaccination naturally disappear from our bodies. On average, antibodies once formed are thought to last about 6 months (3–12 months). So if you get vaccinated too early, when influenza is circulating in late winter or early spring, the effect of the vaccination may have worn off and you may catch the flu. Second, because the circulating viral strains change every year due to antigenic drift, the influenza vaccine is newly administered every fall, which is the biggest difference from most other vaccinations. WHO predicts the viral strains expected to circulate each year, and new vaccines are made based on that~!

Should I get the flu (influenza) vaccination right now?

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Vaccination Guidelines (2023) The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency recommends completing the flu vaccination every year between October and December, considering the flu season (November to April of the following year). If you are in a group recommended for priority vaccination but missed the recommended timing, they recommend getting vaccinated as soon as possible.

Which vaccine is best? Types of vaccines expected to be distributed in the second half of 2024

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reviewed influenza vaccine products expected to be distributed domestically in the second half of 2024. However, this may change depending on the manufacturer’s supply plan or the results of the national inspection by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

2024–2025 Influenza National Vaccination Support Project Management Guidelines (for public health centers and medical institutions)

In the past, people chose between trivalent and quadrivalent vaccines, but recently, quadrivalent vaccines have mainly been distributed.

There are several products even among quadrivalent vaccines, as shown in the table above. What are the differences?

First, by manufacturing method, they can be divided into egg-cultured vaccines and cell-cultured vaccines. SK Bioscience’s SkyCell 4 is the only cell-cultured vaccine.

Second, by country of manufacture, they can be divided into domestic production and overseas production (finished product import).

Third, the initial approved age differs by product. It varies widely from as young as 6 months to 65 years old^^;;

Today, we covered the overall topic of influenza vaccination. Next time, I’ll look at the side effects of influenza vaccines, simultaneous COVID vaccination, and returning to school/work after infection.

That’s all from Merry Plastic Surgery Clinic, always happy to see you.