Residents of Namdong-gu, Incheon Receive COVID-19 Vaccinations at Gil Hospital

Lee Kang-ho, Mayor of Namdong-gu, Incheon (fourth from the left), and Kim Yang-woo, Director of Gachon University Gil Medical Center, are taking a commemorative photo with officials after signing the "Vaccination Center Operation Agreement" on the 24th.
[Photo by Namdong-gu, Incheon]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Namdong-gu, Incheon signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Gachon University Gil Medical Center on the 24th to operate a COVID-19 vaccination center.

The agreement was made to establish and operate the Namdong-gu vaccination center ahead of the Pfizer vaccine inoculation for seniors aged 75 and older, which will begin next month.

Accordingly, two independent buildings near the main building of Gil Medical Center, the former Children's Hospital and the Korean Medicine Hospital, will be utilized as vaccination centers. In addition, medical personnel necessary for vaccination will be supported by Gil Medical Center, and an emergency medical system will be established to prepare for adverse reactions.

Kim Yang-woo, director of Gachon University Gil Medical Center, said, "It is natural to play a role as a regional base medical institution to ensure safe vaccination for residents," adding, "We will spare no support within the possible scope."

It is an unusual case for a local government to cooperate with a higher-level general hospital to provide location and personnel, while most vaccination centers are set up in gymnasiums and supplement their own staff.

Collaboration with medical institutions allows immediate emergency treatment in case of adverse reactions such as anaphylaxis, smooth support of medical personnel, and flexible operation. Another advantage is its location in the city center, providing excellent accessibility for local residents via public transportation.

In particular, the Namdong-gu vaccination center will proactively introduce and operate a 'clean bench (aseptic workbench)' to enhance safety in vaccine storage and aliquoting.

The clean bench is a device that maintains a completely sterile environment during work to prevent contaminated air intrusion, which is rare to use in vaccination rather than general testing.

The district will also conduct large-scale vaccinations during morning hours and weekends in cooperation with the Namdong-gu Medical Association if there is a shortage of doctors.

Lee Kang-ho, mayor of Namdong-gu, said, "This agreement is the result of close consultation with Gil Medical Center to ensure that Namdong-gu residents can receive vaccines in a safe and prompt environment," adding, "We will do our best to successfully achieve herd immunity nationwide in a short period."

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