South Korea sticks to flu vaccine plan despite safety fears after 13 deaths - CBC.ca

Health authorities said they found no direct links between the deaths and the vaccines.

At least 11 of the 13 dead, including a 17-year-old boy, were part of a campaign to inoculate 19 million teenagers and senior citizens for free, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.

"I understand and regret that people are concerned about the vaccine," said Health Minister Park Neung-hoo, who confirmed the free program would go ahead.

They supply both the free program and paid services that together aim to vaccinate about 30 million of a population of 52 million.

But health authorities have said a preliminary investigation into six deaths found no direct link to the vaccines, with no toxic substances uncovered.

Officials said 8.3 million people had been inoculated since the program resumed on Oct.

The most deaths in South Korea linked to seasonal flu vaccinations was six in 2005, the Yonhap news agency said.

Kim Myung-suk, 65, is among a growing number of South Koreans who decided to pay for a vaccine of their choice, despite being eligible for a free dose.