Chungnam Expands Free Flu Vaccination to Middle and High School Students

Residents visiting the public health center are lining up to receive flu vaccinations. Photo is unrelated to the article. Source=Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy (Naepo) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Chungnam Province will include middle and high school students in this year's free flu vaccination program.

The province announced on the 14th that, due to concerns that COVID-19 and the flu may spread simultaneously this fall and winter, it will expand the free flu vaccination target group to prevent confusion caused by similar symptoms of infectious diseases.

This year, the total number of people eligible for free flu vaccinations in Chungnam is expected to reach 851,126. This figure includes an additional 186,096 people based on population statistics, with the newly expanded free vaccination target age groups being 13 to 18 years old and 62 to 64 years old.

Through this, local residents aged 6 months to 18 years, those aged 62 and older, and pregnant women can receive free flu vaccinations at public health centers and designated medical institutions nationwide (835 locations in the region, about 10,000 nationwide), regardless of their registered residence.

In particular, the province will support the use of quadrivalent vaccines instead of trivalent vaccines this year. Free vaccinations will begin on the 22nd of this month for children (one-time vaccination), December 13 for those aged 75 and older, December 20 for those aged 70 to 74, and December 27 for those aged 62 to 69, continuing until December 31. Pregnant women can receive vaccinations from the 22nd of this month until April 30 of next year.

Designated medical institutions can be confirmed by contacting the local public health center or through the Vaccination Helper website and smartphone app.

A provincial official stated, "Vaccination is the most effective way to block the spread of infectious diseases and protect individual health," adding, "Since the flu vaccine takes effect two weeks after vaccination and lasts about six months on average, we urge people to complete their vaccinations by November if possible."

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