Kim Byeongnae, Namgu District Mayor, "Must Establish COVID-19 Herd Immunity System"

17,9461 Eligible Individuals Aged 18 and Over, 83.6% of Local Population

Stepwise Sequential Progress Begins with Medical Staff Vaccination from the 26th

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Kim Byeong-nae, Mayor of Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, announced on the 22nd, “With the COVID-19 vaccination set to begin in earnest from the 26th, we will establish a flawless preparation to ensure the establishment of herd immunity.”

He added, “We will do our best for vaccination by setting up a vaccination center at the Nam-gu Multipurpose Gymnasium along with medical personnel such as doctors and nurses in the district.”

The COVID-19 vaccination target population in Nam-gu was counted as 179,461 people aged 18 and over out of the total population of 214,579 as of the end of December last year. This accounts for about 83.6% of the total population in the district. Those under 18 and pregnant women are excluded from the vaccination targets.

Nam-gu aims to vaccinate all eligible individuals by November, the influenza season, to complete a flawless herd immunity system.

Vaccinations will be conducted quarterly according to the recommended priority groups.

The first quarter vaccination targets include 8,401 people such as COVID-19 dedicated treatment medical staff, 119 paramedics and first responders, workers and residents of nursing hospitals and facilities, and workers and residents of mental health and rehabilitation facilities.

In the second quarter, the targets are 40,250 people including workers and users of elderly home care and welfare facilities, seniors aged 65 and over, hospital, clinic, and pharmacy workers, and workers and residents of facilities for the disabled.

In the third and fourth quarters, the remaining unvaccinated residents, totaling 130,810 people, are targeted.

The vaccination methods vary depending on the target group.

First, workers at Bitgoeul Jeonnam National University Hospital, a dedicated infectious disease hospital, will be vaccinated either by their institution or at the regional vaccination center at Chosun University Hospital.

Workers at high-risk medical institutions, which are advanced general hospitals, will be vaccinated by their institutions, while 119 paramedics and first responders will receive vaccinations at public health centers.

Workers and residents of nursing hospitals and facilities, as well as mental health facilities, will be vaccinated through their institutions, visits to public health centers, or contracted doctors responsible for treatment.

Workers and users of elderly home care and welfare facilities, and seniors aged 65 and over will be vaccinated at designated medical institutions, while hospital, clinic, and pharmacy workers will be vaccinated either by their institutions or designated medical institutions. Workers and users of facilities for the disabled will be vaccinated at designated medical institutions and public health centers.

Other residents will receive vaccinations at designated medical institutions and the Nam-gu Multipurpose Gymnasium, with 95 designated medical institutions expected to be announced soon through a recruitment notice.

Since most vaccination targets in Nam-gu are concentrated in the second half of the year, a vaccination hub center will be established at the Nam-gu Multipurpose Gymnasium to facilitate residents’ convenience.

Depending on the amount of vaccine introduced domestically, the center is expected to open as early as May and no later than July.

To ensure smooth vaccination, each team will consist of 10 doctors, 20 nurses, and 30 administrative staff, operating in three rotating teams.

Doctors, nurses, and administrative staff will be assigned respectively to the preliminary examination waiting area, vaccination preparation area, vaccination waiting area, and vaccine reaction monitoring area, with about 1,500 people expected to be vaccinated daily.

Nam-gu has formed a regional vaccination council to ensure smooth COVID-19 vaccination through cooperation with related organizations and to respond quickly in case of emergencies. The council has begun full operation.

The regional council consists of 12 members from Nam-gu Public Health Center, Nam-gu Council, Nam-gu Medical Association, Gwangju Nursing Association, Gwangju University Nursing Department, Gwangju Christian Hospital, Nambu Fire Station, Nambu Police Station, and Nam-gu Volunteer Center. They will assist with inter-agency cooperation, medical consultation, and manpower support.

Mayor Kim Byeong-nae said, “To complete the COVID-19 herd immunity system, the only way is for all of us to participate in vaccination without exception. I urge everyone to actively participate in vaccination to overcome the COVID-19 crisis and protect not only their own health but also the health of community members.”

Meanwhile, Nam-gu will conduct a “COVID-19 Vaccination Simulation” on the morning of the 23rd at the auditorium of the mental health facility Sohwa Nuri to check all vaccination procedures to ensure safe and prompt COVID-19 vaccination.

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