Every Day, 400 Volunteers at 27 Vaccination Centers in Seoul... 7,300 People Join Forces to Overcome COVID-19

From College Students in Their 20s to Seniors in Their 70s, Individuals and Groups Alike Join Citizens' 'COVID-19 Overcoming' Efforts
Supporting Entire Vaccination Process Including Eligibility Verification, Pre-screening Form Completion, Transportation Assistance, and Emotional Support

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] At the 27 vaccination centers across Seoul, there are individuals who play a hidden but vital role in supporting the medical staff dedicated to the frontline of vaccine administration. These are citizen volunteers who voluntarily lend their efforts, with about 400 people participating daily across the 27 vaccination centers.

Volunteers assist with administrative tasks behind the scenes. They are responsible for verifying the identity of vaccine recipients at the site, guiding them through procedures and routes, providing mobility support, and helping with the completion of pre-vaccination questionnaires.

On the 11th, the Seoul Volunteer Center announced that since the full-scale operation of the 27 vaccination centers began in April, more than 7,300 citizen volunteers have participated. Citizens of various ages and backgrounds?from university students in their 20s to seniors in their 70s, from individual applicants to volunteer organizations?are working together.

Including organizations that have long been active in the local community, young people in their 20s are actively applying and participating through the ‘1365 Volunteer Portal.’ Cha Yeon-ju, director of the Gwangjin-gu Volunteer Center, explained, “When recruitment notices are posted, applications close quickly, and many young people inquire. This shows the interest young people have in public activities.”

Citizen volunteers contribute in many ways to ensure the smooth progress of the entire vaccination process. The Seoul Volunteer Center and the volunteer centers of 25 autonomous districts have formed and are operating the ‘Integrated Volunteer Support Group for Vaccination’ since early May to systematically support necessary volunteer activities within the vaccination centers. They handle recruitment, training, and activity management of volunteers.

Volunteers verify whether elderly visitors are eligible for vaccination and confirm their identities, guide them through vaccination procedures and routes, fill out pre-vaccination questionnaires on behalf of seniors who have difficulty doing so, assist those with mobility challenges by supporting them physically or helping them board wheelchairs. Especially since the vaccination centers are responsible for vaccinating seniors aged 75 and older, volunteers who provide guidance and mobility support are a great help in center operations.

For seniors who find it difficult to use public transportation, volunteers play a significant role in supporting shuttle bus services operated by some autonomous districts. They assist with safe boarding and alighting at vehicle stops, monitor for adverse reactions after vaccination, and help ensure compliance with quarantine rules such as mask-wearing.

When asked why they participate in vaccination center volunteer work despite difficult circumstances, volunteers unanimously express their desire to contribute even a little to the effort to overcome COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Seoul Volunteer Center will run an online and offline campaign for 10 days starting from the 21st called ‘Volunteers Are the Citizens’ Hope Vaccine’ to express gratitude to volunteers working at vaccination centers. Participants will be entered into a draw to receive small gifts sponsored by HK inno.N. Using photo cards available at vaccination centers, participants can make a ‘V’ sign symbolizing vaccine volunteering, take a photo, and post it on their SNS with hashtags (#HopeVaccine, #Volunteer).

Kim Ui-wook, director of the Seoul Volunteer Center, said, “We thank all volunteers who dedicate themselves to everyone’s safety and the recovery of daily life,” adding, “We will continue to expand support to ensure the safety and positive experiences of volunteers.”

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