Impact of Media Coverage on Influenza Vaccine Coverage in Elderly Individuals from 2020 to 2021 in the Republic of Korea

Abstract

Increased awareness of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) can disrupt vaccination programs. In South Korea, a report of alleged influenza vaccine-related deaths attracted significant media attention in 2020. We retrieved the vaccination coverage and AEFI data to determine their association with media coverage. Between 2015 and 2019, the vaccination coverage rate ranged between 80.5% and 83.3%; however, the vaccination coverage rate declined significantly from 2020 to 2021 to 73.6% (p p p < 0.0001). Vaccine safety surveillance should be continued in conjunction with investigation and transparent risk communication to maintain public trust in vaccines and vaccinations.

Keywords

• influenza
• vaccine
• vaccination
• safety
• death
• mortality