PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.14 No.5, January 28, 2021 Article TypeEpidemiology and Surveillance

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2021-01-28

  0 417 205

  Analysis of adverse events following immunization with influenza vaccines in the 2020-2021 season

  Kim Sungnam, Kim Heekyoung, Lee Yeonkyeong, Yang Yunjeong, Lee Jaeyoung, Hong Jeongik, Park Young Joon, Kwon Yunhyung

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(5): 215-228

  

  

  Abstract

  Full Text Cite Share

  The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) monitors the safety of all vaccines administered in the Republic of Korea (ROK), including seasonal influenza vaccines. The aim of this article was to analyze adverse events following immunization (AEFI) with influenza vaccines. To that end, this article analyzed AEFIs reported to the KDCA’s integrated disease and health management system (https://is.cdc.go.kr) from September to December 2020. In addition, this article examined the KDCA’s Vaccination Injury Investigation Group’s data to find a causal association between death and vaccination and to examine the mortality rates of influenza vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups by influenza season.
  As of December 31, 2020, the number of reported AEFI with influenza vaccines totaled 2,059; 345 reports of fever (16.8%), 401 allergic reactions (19.5%), and 242 reports of local adverse reactions (11.8%) such as pain at the injection site. With regards to the most common neurological reactions, 72 cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome and convulsions were reported (3.5%) and 71 cases of nausea and vomiting (3.4%) were reported.
  The results of basic and epidemiological investigations, autopsy results, medical records, and examination records were reviewed for 110 cases reported as deaths after influenza vaccination. The key findings indicated that seasonal influenza vaccine-related mortality was not significant. First, in all cases of mortality, there was no indication that AEFI was a factor at the time of death. Second, death was most likely due to the worsening of an underlying disease such as cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, chronic liver disease, chronic kidney failure, arrhythmia, chronic lung disease, a malignant tumor and so on than to an influenza vaccine. Third, according to autopsy results, the causes of death, such as aortic dissection, acute myocardial infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, and pulmonary artery thromboembolism were clearly indicated. Lastly, cerebral hemorrhage, myocardial infarction, asphyxia, septic shock, pneumonia, and kidney failure were found to be causes of death. All cases reviewed had inconsistent causal association with influenza immunization.
  In addition, this article compared the mortality rates of influenza vaccinated and unvaccinated groups from the 2015-2016 and 2019-2020 influenza seasons. Mortality rates of the unvaccinated group were 6.2-8.5 times higher than those of the vaccinated group. An average of 594 people a day in the 65-year-old and up age group died during the national influenza immunization program.
  To sustain vaccination as the most cost-effective means of preventing infectious disease, the most important thing is public confidence in safety. In the event of serious adverse reactions such as death, initial risk communication is very important. In addition, it is necessary to provide accurate information based on scientific evidence, transparent communication, and various public relations measures.

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2021-01-28

  0 365 66

  The Results of the Cold-Related Illness Surveillance in the long cold wave (December 29, 2020-January 12, 2021)

  Lee Sukyung, Kim Sunmi, Kim Hyoeun, Kwon Seunghyun, Yoo Hyosoon

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(5): 229-238

  

  

  Abstract

  Full Text Cite Share

  The extreme cold for 15 days (December 29, 2020-January 12, 2021) at the end of the year and the new year recorded the lowest temperature (-16.3℃) this winter, and the report of cold-related illnesses (CRIs) patients also surged. The number of cold patients reported during the period was 191, accounted for 62.4% of the total occurrence of the 2020-2021 season, and 223.7% increase over the same period last season. Compared to the 2019-2020 season, reports in people in their 20s-40s increased by 11.5%p, while frostbite increased by 26.4%p, and occurrences in mountains, ski resorts, and outdoor workplaces increased by 14.1%p.
  This report concluded that health damage from CRIs can be prevented by following safety guidelines for cold wave control. It is important to listen to weather information and observe the precautions, such as avoiding going out in cold weather as much as possible, and be especially careful of sudden cold weather.

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2021-01-28

  0 329 205

  Development of the indoor air quality monitoring model based on Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES)

  Kim Sun-Ja, Kim Yeonjung, Hwang Yunhyung, Oh Kyungwon, Park Jiyoung, Lee Kiyoung

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(5): 239-247

  

  

  Abstract

  Full Text Cite Share

  This study was conducted to develop a residential indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring model that can be applied to the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) system; a national cross-sectional surveillance system that has been assessing the health and nutritional status of Koreans since 1998. The KNHANES is conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and approximately 10,000 persons participate in the survey. The IAQ measurement items selected were PM10, PM2.5, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, total suspended bacteria, carbon monoxide (IAQ maintenance criteria of the Indoor Air Quality Control Act), nitrogen dioxide, radon, total volatile compounds (TVOC), and fungi (IAQ recommendation criteria) in consideration of domestic and international studies of IAQ. The survey items included 30 questions, including housing-related factors, IAQ management factors such as ventilation, resident behavioral factors such as cooking and the use of air fresheners, and outdoor influencing factors. A preliminary survey was conducted on 60 households among the households subject to KNHANES to examine the applicability of the IAQ monitoring model. The preliminary survey showed that carbon dioxide (35%), TVOC (25%), fungi (13%), and radon (13%) exceeded the IAQ criteria, and PM10, total suspended bacteria, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide were acceptable for all households. Based on the accuracy and ease of measurement in comparison with domestic and international surveys and the results of the preliminary investigation, four measurements (PM2.5, TVOC, formaldehyde, and carbon dioxide) and 30 survey items were selected by the study’s IAQ subcommittee. To characterize the IAQ of Korean homes, this study’s model was applied to 1,200 KNHANES households from July 2020 to October 2021.