Incheon Ongjin-gun Expands Free Flu Vaccination Eligibility to Those Aged 50 and Over and People with Disabilities

Including Treatment and Care in Social Welfare and Group Facilities as well as Basic Livelihood Security Recipients

Residents are receiving free flu vaccinations supported by Sanofi Pasteur and others. 2019.10.24 / Photo by Jang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] On the 8th, Ongjin-gun, Incheon announced that it will expand the age and target groups for free influenza (flu) vaccinations.

Until last year, the national flu vaccination targets were children aged 6 months to 12 years and seniors aged 65 and older.

However, this year, the national vaccination targets have been expanded to include children aged 6 months to 18 years, pregnant women, and seniors aged 62 and older. Additionally, the flu vaccine has been upgraded from the trivalent vaccine to the newly introduced quadrivalent vaccine.

Along with this, Ongjin-gun has expanded the vaccination targets through its own projects to include those aged 50 and older, individuals receiving treatment or care in group facilities such as social welfare facilities, basic livelihood security recipients, and persons with disabilities in grades 1 to 3.

The national vaccination schedule by age is as follows: children aged 6 months to 8 years can receive vaccinations starting from the 8th; children aged 9 to 18 years and pregnant women from the 22nd; seniors aged 75 and older from the 13th of next month; and seniors aged 62 and older from the 27th of next month at public health centers or health sub-centers.

However, those aged 62 and older can also receive vaccinations at designated medical institutions regardless of their place of residence.

Jang Jeongmin, the mayor of Ongjin-gun, urged, "Since COVID-19 and the flu may spread simultaneously, we hope people get flu vaccinations by the end of November to strengthen immunity against respiratory diseases," and added, "When visiting medical institutions such as health sub-centers, please strictly follow quarantine rules such as wearing masks and washing hands."

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