Gwangju City Urges Seniors Aged 65 and Over to Get Pneumococcal Vaccination

Expanded Implementation to Private Hospitals and Clinics

Gwangju City Hall

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 19th that starting from the 22nd, pneumococcal vaccination for seniors aged 65 and older will be expanded to private hospitals and clinics (designated medical institutions).

Until now, vaccinations were administered at public health centers, but due to the temporary suspension of vaccination services at health centers caused by COVID-19, vaccinations will be carried out at private medical institutions.

Since May 2013, a nationwide support program for pneumococcal vaccination for seniors has been conducted at public health centers, but due to the spread of COVID-19 this year, the vaccination rate has dropped to about one-fourth compared to the same period last year, prompting this measure.

Seniors aged 65 and older who have not yet received the pneumococcal vaccination can receive free vaccinations at private hospitals and clinics (designated medical institutions) regardless of their place of residence from the 22nd until December 31st.

Private hospitals and clinics (designated medical institutions) where vaccinations are available can be confirmed by contacting the local public health center or through the Vaccination Helper website and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Vaccination Helper app.

For safe vaccination, visitors must make an appointment in advance to set a visit time before going to the hospital or clinic, and must wear a mask and visit the medical institution at the reserved time.

Kim Gwang-eun, Director of the City Health Policy Division, stated, “To ensure safe vaccinations for high-risk groups such as children and seniors, it is essential to follow vaccination guidelines such as making an appointment before visiting hospitals or clinics and wearing masks when visiting medical institutions.” He added, “Medical institutions should also pay attention to safety rules such as accepting advance reservations, separating vaccination areas and consultation rooms, and placing hand sanitizers at the entrance of medical institutions.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.