Yangcheon-gu, Free Flu Vaccination for Long-term Care Facility Workers

Free Quadrivalent Vaccine Support for Long-term Care Facility Workers Aged 61 and Under Excluded from National Free Vaccination Program

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Kim Soo-young) will provide free flu vaccinations to employees of long-term care institutions located in Yangcheon-gu to improve the treatment of long-term care workers and enhance the quality of elderly care services.

The support targets those aged 61 or younger (born on or after January 1, 1959) who are currently employed at long-term care institutions in Yangcheon-gu as of the application date. The eligible institutions in Yangcheon-gu include about 200 long-term care facilities and home care agencies.

The vaccination period is from September 1 to November 10. After receiving the vaccination at the desired hospital within this period, applicants must submit the application form and detailed medical expense statement (including vaccine name and price) to their affiliated long-term care institution to receive reimbursement for the quadrivalent vaccine (including trivalent vaccine) vaccination costs.

Additionally, if vaccinated through a contracted hospital of the affiliated long-term care institution, the institution can cover the cost upfront and then apply for reimbursement from Yangcheon-gu.

According to a survey by Seoul City, most care workers are non-regular employees working under lower wages and poor labor conditions compared to other occupations. They are also exposed to risks of musculoskeletal and infectious diseases while directly caring for elderly individuals with physical difficulties, highlighting the need to improve their treatment.

An official from the district stated, “Improving the treatment of care workers should be prioritized to enhance the quality of care services. Since care workers have face-to-face contact with the elderly, flu vaccination is essential. This year, while the national free vaccination target has expanded to those aged 62 and older, we plan to support vaccinations for care workers aged 61 and younger who are excluded from the national free vaccination program.”

Kim Soo-young, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, emphasized, “In the face of rapid aging, care workers who professionally care for the elderly and play a crucial role in providing care services will have their health rights guaranteed so that they can provide services to the elderly in good health.”

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