National Trends in Influenza Vaccination Rates in South Korea Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2011-2022.

Kyeongeun KIM; Kyeongmin LEE; Yejun SON; Seoyoung PARK; Raphael UDEH; Jiseung KANG; Hayeon LEE; Soeun KIM; Jaeyu PARK; Hyeon Jin KIM; Damiano PIZZOL; Lee SMITH; Jiyoung HWANG; Dong Keon YON

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National Trends in Influenza Vaccination Rates in South Korea Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2011-2022.

Author: Kyeongeun KIM ¹ ; Kyeongmin LEE ² ; Yejun SON ¹ ; Seoyoung PARK ¹ ; Raphael UDEH ³ ; Jiseung KANG ⁴ ; Hayeon LEE ⁵ ; Soeun KIM ¹ ; Jaeyu PARK ¹ ; Hyeon Jin KIM ¹ ; Damiano PIZZOL ⁶ ; Lee SMITH ⁷ ; Jiyoung HWANG ⁸ ; Dong Keon YON ⁹
Author Information

1. Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea;Department of Precision Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
2. Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea;Department of Regulatory Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.
3. School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia.
4. Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA;Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA;School of Health and Environmental Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
5. Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea;Department of Electronics and Information Convergence Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, South Korea.
6. Health Unit Eni, Maputo, Mozambique;Health Unit, Eni, San Donato Milanese, Italy.
7. Centre for Health, Performance and Wellbeing, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK.
8. Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
9. Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea;Department of Precision Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea;Department of Regulatory Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea;Department of Pediatrics, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; Epidemiology; Influenza vaccination; South Korea
MeSH: Humans; Republic of Korea/epidemiology*; COVID-19/epidemiology*; Adult; Middle Aged; Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage*; Male; Female; Influenza, Human/epidemiology*; Aged; Vaccination/statistics & numerical data*; Young Adult; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2
From: Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(9):1044-1057
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: OBJECTIVE:Despite the global decrease in influenza infections during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, seasonal influenza remains a significant health issue. South Korea, known for its robust pandemic response and high influenza vaccination rates, offers a unique context for examining changes in vaccination trends during the pandemic. Using nationally representative data, we aimed to understand the impact of the pandemic on influenza vaccination behavior over a 12-year period and to identify vulnerable groups.
METHODS:We analyzed influenza vaccination rates in South Korea between 2011-2022, focusing on pandemic-related impacts. The data of 2,426,139 adults (≥ 19 years) from the Korea Community Health Survey were used to assess demographic and sociological factors influencing vaccination behaviors.
RESULTS:We observed an increase in influenza vaccination rates during the pre-COVID-19 period from 2011-2013 (weighted prevalence: 46.68% [95% confidence interval ( CI): 46.55-46.82]) to 2017-2019 (weighted prevalence: 52.50% [95% CI: 52.38-52.63]). However, a significant decline was observed in 2022, the late-COVID-19 pandemic period (weighted prevalence: 55.78% [95% CI: 55.56-56.01]), compared with the mid-pandemic period in 2021 (weighted prevalence: 59.12% [95% CI: 58.91-59.32]), particularly among populations traditionally prioritized for influenza vaccination, including older adults (≥ 65 years) and patients with chronic diseases and low educational and income levels.
CONCLUSION:The influenza vaccination rate in South Korea was significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, showing a notable decrease among vulnerable demographic groups. This suggests the need for targeted public health strategies to address vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccination rates, particularly among high-risk populations.