"Extremely aging society, urgent policyization of vaccination for the elderly"
Aug 25, 2024
The Korean Family Medical Association (Chairman Han Sung-ho, Chairman Kang Jae-heon) held a policy discussion meeting with lawmakers at 10 a.m. on the 23rd in the second meeting room of the National Assembly Hall. Recently, Korea has maintained a high vaccination rate for children through a national vaccination program. However, the recommended pneumococcal vaccination rate for 65-year-olds is significantly lower than in other countries, especially during the COVID pandemic, where vaccination rates in adults and the elderly have decreased significantly. In addition, influenza has a very high mortality rate among the elderly compared to children and young adults, and as we enter an aging society, the importance of diseases that can be prevented sufficiently by vaccination is expected to increase.
However, policy support for vaccination for adults and the elderly is relatively insufficient compared to children. Therefore, in Korea, which is rapidly changing into an ultra-aging society, preparing a national essential vaccination program that extends from the existing national vaccination policy to adults and the elderly according to the life cycle is emerging as an important task. This debate was held based on the need for discussions on the expansion of essential vaccinations at a time when the importance of vaccine prevention for adults and the elderly is becoming more prominent.
Professor Kim Young-sang (Korea Family Medical Association) emphasized the importance of preparing policies to expand vaccination in the elderly as the current national vaccination program is concentrated on children, but deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases are concentrated in the elderly.
In addition, Professor Lee Jae-gap (Korea Infectious Society) said "The structure of the disease is changing with aging, and the importance of prevention is increasing."," he stressed. Director Lee Dong-woo (Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), who participated in the discussion, said "The policy will of the state is important, but priority allocation of limited resources is necessary."We will work harder to provide adequate vaccine support." Subsequently, Kim Joo-kyung, a legislative investigator (National Assembly Legislative Investigation Office), and Kim Yi-bae, an expert committee member (Korea Council of Mayor, County, and District) said, "In preparation for a super-aged society, it is necessary to reset the direction of the national vaccination support project, and support at the city, county, and district levels should be considered." he insisted. Director Lee Hyun-woo (Korea Pharmaceutical Bio Association) emphasized that introduction is important in Korea as vaccination projects for adults are actively underway in major overseas countries.
Kang Jae-hun, chairman of the Korean Family Medical Association, then said "Everyone agreed on the need to expand national vaccinations for adults, but policy support for raising funds and priorities is needed."Adult vaccination is cost-effective, but it must be approached from a long-term perspective, and public-private and businesses need a full understanding of the importance of protecting the right to public health."
However, policy support for vaccination for adults and the elderly is relatively insufficient compared to children. Therefore, in Korea, which is rapidly changing into an ultra-aging society, preparing a national essential vaccination program that extends from the existing national vaccination policy to adults and the elderly according to the life cycle is emerging as an important task. This debate was held based on the need for discussions on the expansion of essential vaccinations at a time when the importance of vaccine prevention for adults and the elderly is becoming more prominent.
Professor Kim Young-sang (Korea Family Medical Association) emphasized the importance of preparing policies to expand vaccination in the elderly as the current national vaccination program is concentrated on children, but deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases are concentrated in the elderly.
In addition, Professor Lee Jae-gap (Korea Infectious Society) said "The structure of the disease is changing with aging, and the importance of prevention is increasing."," he stressed. Director Lee Dong-woo (Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), who participated in the discussion, said "The policy will of the state is important, but priority allocation of limited resources is necessary."We will work harder to provide adequate vaccine support." Subsequently, Kim Joo-kyung, a legislative investigator (National Assembly Legislative Investigation Office), and Kim Yi-bae, an expert committee member (Korea Council of Mayor, County, and District) said, "In preparation for a super-aged society, it is necessary to reset the direction of the national vaccination support project, and support at the city, county, and district levels should be considered." he insisted. Director Lee Hyun-woo (Korea Pharmaceutical Bio Association) emphasized that introduction is important in Korea as vaccination projects for adults are actively underway in major overseas countries.
Kang Jae-hun, chairman of the Korean Family Medical Association, then said "Everyone agreed on the need to expand national vaccinations for adults, but policy support for raising funds and priorities is needed."Adult vaccination is cost-effective, but it must be approached from a long-term perspective, and public-private and businesses need a full understanding of the importance of protecting the right to public health."
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