Flu Vaccines Over 81% Effective in Preventing Deaths Among Seniors, First Joint Annual Report Reveals

South Korea's public health agencies, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and the National Health Insurance Service, have released their inaugural joint annual report on influenza, offering critical insights into the effectiveness of vaccination programs. The findings underscore the vital role vaccines play, particularly for vulnerable populations. The report highlights that for individuals aged 65 and above, flu vaccines demonstrated an impressive 81.1% effectiveness in preventing fatalities during the 2024-2025 season. This translates to a significant reduction in hospitalizations and deaths, with the KDCA estimating that vaccinations averted over 140,000 hospital visits and more than 3,500 deaths.

The report further clarifies the nuances of vaccine efficacy, distinguishing between preventing infection and preventing severe outcomes. While the probability of avoiding the flu altogether is estimated between 10.2% and 41.4%, the vaccine's ability to prevent severe illness and death ranges from 63.7% to 74.6%, and up to 81.1% for mortality in the elderly. This distinction is crucial for public understanding: the vaccine's primary strength lies in mitigating the most dangerous consequences of influenza, a key objective for public health strategies targeting high-risk groups.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the purpose of influenza vaccination is to prevent severe illness and death in high-risk groups, and it has been confirmed that the current vaccination program is achieving this goal.

This year's influenza season saw a peak in cases, with the number of patients exhibiting flu-like symptoms reaching its highest point since 2016. The surge was particularly pronounced among school-aged children and adolescents, leading to a secondary wave in March. Despite the intensity of the outbreak during specific periods, the overall number of reported influenza cases saw a slight decrease compared to the previous season. The KDCA emphasizes that the current vaccination strategy effectively protects high-risk individuals, aligning with the World Health Organization's focus on preventing severe illness and death. However, the agency acknowledges the lower infection prevention rates in the elderly (below 20%) and commits to continuous monitoring and evaluation to adapt future strategies.

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However, the infection prevention effect in the elderly is less than 20%, so we will closely monitor changes through continuous evaluation and respond accordingly.