Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Korea Raises Awareness for Pneumococcal and Influenza Vaccination Campaign
Entered on October 27, 2023, at 14:55. Viewed 7 times.
Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Korea has announced its initiative to launch a comprehensive campaign promoting the significance of pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations for the public. To commemorate the flu season, the campaign will feature renowned actress Ji Jin-hee, the ambassador for the pneumococcal vaccine ‘Prevenar 13’.
In previous years, the flu season typically occurred between November and April. However, this year, the flu virus has been prevalent even during the summer months. As a result, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issued several influenza epidemic notices for the 2023-24 season since September, unlike the previous year’s advisory, which had not seen a rise in cases.
According to the agency, the standard for an epidemic during this season is 6.5 suspected cases of influenza per 1,000 outpatients. However, as of the recent 41st week (October 8-14), the rate of suspected cases stood at 15.5, double the established standard. A suspected flu patient is defined as an individual who experiences a sudden fever of 38℃ or higher, accompanied by symptoms of cough or sore throat.
Pneumonia, a secondary bacterial infection, is the most common complication of the flu. Remarkably, studies have shown that up to 75% of influenza patients also have confirmed bacterial co-infections, which significantly heightens the morbidity and mortality rates of viral infections such as influenza.
A published study reveals a significant increase in the incidence and death rate of pneumococcal infections among individuals aged 50 or older.
Data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service indicates that the number of pneumonia cases, the most prevalent flu complication, reached 440,000 among individuals in their 50s or older during the 2022 review year. This represents a more than twofold increase compared to the previous year (2021). Given the rise in flu consultations and the increasing frequency of pneumococcal infections from September-October through April-May of the succeeding year, preventive vaccination is crucial in averting flu and pneumococcal diseases for the upcoming winter season.
Pneumococcal and influenza vaccines are mandatory vaccinations endorsed by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The Prevenar 13 pneumococcal vaccine can be administered alongside trivalent and tetravalent inactivated influenza vaccines. In preparation for a potential surge in the winter flu epidemic, the agency actively encourages flu vaccination and urges individuals to adhere to basic respiratory infectious disease prevention guidelines, such as regular handwashing and wearing masks when experiencing respiratory symptoms.
Kim Hee-jin, the executive director of Pfizer Korea’s vaccine division, expressed his hopes that this campaign will serve as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of preventive pneumococcal and flu vaccinations, given the unusually extended duration of the flu season this year. Highlighting the success of Prevenar 13, the leading pneumococcal vaccine for 13 consecutive years, he stated Pfizer Korea’s commitment to taking the lead in respiratory disease prevention in Korea.
As part of the campaign celebration, Pfizer Korea plans to distribute pamphlets promoting the significance of flu and pneumococcal vaccinations across universities and general hospitals nationwide, featuring actress Ji Jin-hee, the ambassador for Prevenar 13.
Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Korea is conducting a pneumococcal and influenza vaccination campaign
Entered 2023.10.27 14:55 View 7 Entered 2023.10.27 14:55 View 7
Pfizer Korea’s Prevenar 13, a pneumococcal + flu vaccination campaign. [사진=한국화이자제약]
Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Korea announced on the 27th that it will hold a campaign to raise awareness of the importance of pneumococcal and flu vaccination for the entire population with actress Ji Jin-hee, the advertising model for the pneumococcal vaccine ‘Prevenar 13’, to commemorate flu season.
Normally, the period between November and April is known to be the flu season, but this year, the flu was rampant even in the summer. Accordingly, the influenza epidemic notice for the 2023-24 season issued by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency last September was issued one after the other while the 2022-23 seasonal influenza epidemic advisory issued last year had not been to rise
The standard for an epidemic this season is 6.5 suspected cases of influenza per 1,000 outpatients, but as of the recent 41st week (October 8-14), the rate of suspected cases was 15.5, double the standard. A suspected flu patient is a person who suddenly develops a fever of 38℃ or higher, accompanied by symptoms of cough or sore throat.
The most common complication of the flu is pneumonia, a secondary bacterial infection. Up to 75% of influenza patients infected with pneumonia have been confirmed to have bacterial co-infections, and bacterial co-infections are known to significantly increase the morbidity and mortality of viral infections such as influenza.
According to a study published last year, the incidence and death rate of pneumococcal infection increased significantly from age 50 or older.
The number of patients with pneumonia, the most common complication of flu, revealed by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service recorded 440,000 people in their 50s or older in the 2022 review year, recording an increase of more than double compared to the year previous year (2021). In addition to the flu epidemic consultation, the frequency of pneumococcal infections increases from September-October to April-May of the following year, so it is necessary to prevent flu and pneumococcal diseases by preventive vaccination for the coming winter season.
Pneumococcal and influenza vaccines are included as mandatory vaccinations issued by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and Prevenar 13 pneumococcal vaccine can be given together with trivalent and tetravalent inactivated influenza vaccines. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency actively recommended flu vaccination in preparation for the possibility of a further increase in the winter flu epidemic and urged people to practice basic respiratory infectious disease prevention rules, such as washing hands before and after going out and wearing a mask when respiratory symptoms occur.
Kim Hee-jin, executive director of Pfizer Korea’s vaccine division, said, “Since the flu epidemic is unusually long this year, we hope this campaign will be an opportunity to convey the importance of preventive pneumococcal and flu vaccinations.” “Based on Prevenar 13, which has come first in sales in the pneumococcal vaccine category for 13 consecutive years, we will continue to take the lead in preventing respiratory diseases in Korea with a sense of mission,” he said.
Meanwhile, to celebrate this campaign, Pfizer Korea plans to place pamphlets promoting the importance of flu and pneumococcal vaccinations with Prevenar 13’s advertising model, actress Ji Jin-hee, in universities and general hospitals across the country.
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