Flu Fighter: Kyung Park

Meet Kyung Park, MPH, a biologist on the Epidemic Virology and Vaccines team of the Virology, Surveillance, and Diagnosis Branch (VSDB) in CDC’s Influenza Division. Ms. Park works remotely doing data analysis and database management.

According to Ms. Park, the most challenging part of fighting flu is that flu viruses are changing constantly. Ms. Park’s work helps to gather data used to provide guidance on influenza vaccine virus selection.  Ms. Park is a flu fighter because her contribution helps to reduce the spread of flu and its potentially serious complications that can lead to hospitalization or death, especially among vulnerable populations.

Name: Kyung Park, MPH

Title: Biologist

Location: Georgia

1. What role do you play in fighting flu?
   I serve as a Biologist in the Epidemic Virology and Vaccines (EVV) team of the Virology Surveillance and Diagnosis Branch within CDC’s Influenza Division. My role in the Influenza Division is to champion the collaboration and sharing of seasonal influenza surveillance data across the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) network on behalf of the WHO Collaborating Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Control of Influenza in Atlanta. My duties include data collection, data analysis, report generation, and laboratory database management.
2. What is the most rewarding part of your work?
   The data produced by our branch greatly impacts the decision-making process for the flu vaccine virus recommendations made every year in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Flu vaccines can protect against serious illness in children, families, and vulnerable populations. Contributing to this effort is the most rewarding aspect of my work in fighting flu.
3. What is the most difficult part of your work?
   The most challenging part of working with flu is that influenza viruses are changing constantly – they are moving targets.
4. How serious is flu? What should people know about the risk of flu?
   Flu is particularly dangerous for older adults, young children, and other vulnerable populations. The risk of developing serious flu-related complications can be reduced by getting a flu vaccine every year.
5. What would you say to those who are hesitant about getting a flu vaccine?
   Flu vaccines can protect you and your loved ones around you from potentially serious outcomes, including hospitalization. It’s one of the best tools we have in reducing the burden of flu.