COVID-19 Pandemic Affects Influenza Vaccination Rates in South Korea

Strategic Insights -

According to research from the Kyung Hee University Medical Center, despite a decrease in influenza infections during the COVID-19 pandemic, seasonal influenza remains a significant health issue in South Korea. The study utilized nationally representative data to understand the impact of the pandemic on influenza vaccination behavior over a 12-year period. The results showed an increase in influenza vaccination rates from 2011-2019, followed by a significant decline in 2022, particularly among vulnerable demographic groups.

Key Takeaways:

  • The influenza vaccination rate in South Korea was significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, showing a notable decrease among vulnerable demographic groups, including older adults (65 years) and patients with chronic diseases.
  • A decline in influenza vaccination rates was observed in 2022, the late-COVID-19 pandemic period, compared to the mid-pandemic period in 2021, especially among populations traditionally prioritized for influenza vaccination.
  • The study found that the weighted prevalence of influenza vaccination rates in South Korea increased from 46.68% in 2011-2013 to 52.50% in 2017-2019, but decreased to 55.78% in 2022, the late-COVID-19 pandemic period.
  • Targeted public health strategies are needed to address vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccination rates, particularly among high-risk populations.
  • The research suggests that despite high influenza vaccination rates in South Korea, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on influenza vaccination behavior, particularly among vulnerable groups.

Statistics:

  • The weighted prevalence of influenza vaccination rates in South Korea increased from 46.68% in 2011-2013 to 52.50% in 2017-2019.
  • In 2022, the late-COVID-19 pandemic period, the weighted prevalence of influenza vaccination rates decreased to 55.78%.
  • The decline in influenza vaccination rates in 2022 was particularly notable among populations traditionally prioritized for influenza vaccination, including older adults (65 years) and patients with chronic diseases.
  • The study utilized data from 2,426,139 adults in South Korea between 2011-2022.

Sources:

  • National Trends in Influenza Vaccination Rates in South Korea Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2011-2022 (Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, 2025;38(9):1044-1057)
  • Chinese Center Disease Control & Prevention, 155 Changbai Rd, Changping District, Beijing, 102206, Peoples R China (www.elsevier.com; www.journals.elsevier.com/biomedical-and-environmental-sciences/)
  • Kyeongmin Lee, Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea (Additional authors: Kyeongeun Kim, Yejun Son, Seoyoung Park, Raphael Udeh, Jiseung Kang, Hayeon Lee, Soeun Kim, Jaeyu Park, Hyeon Jin Kim, Damiano Pizzol, Lee Smith, Jiyoung Hwang and Dong Keon Yon)