The nation confirmed its first patient for a type of influenza predicted to prevail this winter, according to the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) Monday.

The health authority said it had confirmed a patient in Inchon has A/New Caledonia (H1N1) type of influenza virus, but added influenza vaccines circulated in the nation this year contain material to prevent it.

As the influenza virus easily changes its genes, people need to be inoculated with new vaccines every year to prevent new types of influenza.

After the World Health Organization (WHO) forecasts which influenza virus will spread the following winter, vaccine companies produce vaccines on the basis of the prediction.

The WHO said the A/New Caledonia is likely to prevail along with B/Shanhai and A/Fujian (H3N2) from September 2004 to April next year. H3N2 was prevalent last winter in Europe and Asia.

``To prevent influenza, people need to get vaccinations by December, the recommended period this year. Those vulnerable to the virus, such as the elderly and those working at poultry farms, are required to get shots within November to prevent SARS and bird flu from reoccurring,’’ a KCDC official said.

The nation recommends vaccinations for elderly aged over 50, infants aged 6-23 months, pregnant women, those working with SARS and bird flu-related agencies, poultry farm workers, patients of chronic illnesses and inmates in collective facilities.

Public health centers started vaccinations in early October, with priority given to people aged over 65 and those receiving government livelihood subsidies.