Gyeonggi-do, suspected flu cases increase 1.3 times in 3 weeks... Request for timely vaccination

Gyeonggi Province requested timely vaccination on the 5th, saying that the number of suspected flu patients in the province has increased 1.3 times over the past three weeks.

Suspected flu patients are those who have a fever of 38 degrees or higher and symptoms such as coughing and sore throat.

According to Gyeonggi Province, the proportion of suspected flu patients per 1,000 outpatients in the province increased 1.3 times in three weeks, from 24.2 in the 36th week (August 30 to September 5) to 32.1 in the 39th week (September 20 to 26).

By age, the proportion of suspected patients aged 7 to 12 was the largest at 63.8, and those aged 65 or older were 14.8.

Nationwide, the proportion of suspected patients in the 39th week was 33.0, which was 3.7 times higher than the same period last year (9.0).

Previously, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issued an 'Influenza Pandemic Advisory for the 2026-2027 Season' on the 11th of last month, and for the elderly, the vaccination schedule has been advanced, with those aged 75 and older starting on the 6th.

Those aged 70 to 74 will be vaccinated sequentially from the 12th, and those aged 65 to 69 will be vaccinated sequentially from the 15th.

Children (6 months to 14 years old) and pregnant women have been vaccinated since the 21st of last month.

Yoo Young-cheol, director of Gyeonggi Province's Health and Health Bureau, said, "As influenza spreads early, the free vaccination schedule is being implemented earlier, so please participate according to the vaccination schedule for each target person."