President Moon Jae-in has reassured the national free flu shot program is safe, while stressing the need to expand seasonal vaccinations this year.
The president made the remarks Monday during a weekly meeting with his key aides, and advised people not to be excessively concerned about the safety of the shots.
This comes as worry and speculation mount over the deaths of people who were recently administered vaccines.
The president stressed that autopsies have found no link between most of the deaths and the vaccinations, and called for public trust in health authorities.
He then urged people to get the shots to prevent a so-called twindemic with the coronavirus.
At least 59 people have died after being administered flu vaccines, with the majority of them in their 70s and 80s, according to the latest data released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.
<Photo: Yonhap News>
