Eunpyeong-gu Opens 2nd Vaccination Center at Eunpyeong Multipurpose Gymnasium

With the Opening of the 2nd Vaccination Center, Up to 1,300 People Can Be Vaccinated Daily... Comprehensive Response from Vaccine Survey for Seniors Aged 75 and Older to Post-Monitoring of Elderly Living Alone

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Eunpyeong-gu (District Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) will open the 2nd Vaccination Center at the Eunpyeong Multipurpose Gymnasium located in Jingwan-dong on the 6th.

This comes about a month after the opening of the 1st Center at the Eunpyeong Culture and Arts Center on the 1st of last month, establishing a foundation for the prompt vaccination of residents.

They stated that in preparation for the opening of the vaccination center, they have made thorough preparations for smooth operation by installing infrastructure, conducting two joint drills with the city and district, two district-only drills, and two joint inspections with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

The 1st Vaccination Center vaccinates about 650 seniors aged 75 and older daily, with a cumulative total of over 10,000 people vaccinated so far. With the operation of the 2nd Vaccination Center opening on the 6th of this month, it is expected that simultaneous vaccination of about 1,300 people per day will be possible.

Eunpyeong-gu has the largest population of residents aged 75 and older among Seoul’s autonomous districts. To ensure prompt vaccination of elderly residents, since March, they have sought vaccination consent from approximately 36,000 eligible individuals by establishing dedicated vaccination counters at 16 community service centers. For seniors with mobility difficulties, officials and community leaders have visited them directly, resulting in over 90% of the target population submitting consent forms.

Additionally, considering that the vaccination targets are elderly seniors, the district provides various conveniences such as shuttle bus services for vaccination and monitoring welfare checks for elderly individuals living alone.

The vaccination shuttle bus service sets up large tents and simple chairs at familiar and easily accessible locations in each neighborhood to create waiting areas for boarding the bus. To prevent safety accidents during boarding, officials serve as safety guardians for the seniors, providing safe and comfortable transportation services.

In connection with this, 150 life support workers provide a safe return home service, accompanying seniors safely from the neighborhood hub locations back to their homes after vaccination.

Furthermore, to check on elderly individuals living alone after vaccination, neighborhood officials called “Our Neighborhood Managers,” composed of community service center staff, conduct one-on-one phone monitoring for three days. They use a list for monitoring adverse reactions to vaccination to provide guidance on vaccination precautions and closely observe any post-vaccination side effects.

Meanwhile, in mid-April, an 80-year-old senior waiting at a neighborhood waiting area for the vaccination shuttle bus suddenly lost consciousness and collapsed. Fortunately, officials present at the scene checked the senior’s breathing and pulse, immediately performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), secured the golden time, and handed the senior over to the 119 emergency medical team. The senior safely returned home after hospital treatment.

Since then, the district has prepared for similar situations by stationing nurses from the “Chat-dong” program at shuttle bus waiting areas in each neighborhood to secure the golden time before hospital transfer through emergency measures. Considering the advanced age of vaccinated seniors, officials on site are also closely monitoring for any possible emergencies.

Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, said, “The district is operating an organic cooperation system with Seoul City, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and other related agencies to ensure residents’ swift return to daily life. Related officials are making their best efforts to ensure smooth progress of COVID-19 vaccination.” She added, “With the active cooperation of residents, I believe we will surely overcome COVID-19 in the near future.”

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