Damyang-gun Provides Free Pneumococcal Vaccinations Year-Round

Vaccinations Available at Private Medical Institutions for Those Aged 65 and Over

[Damyang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] On the 22nd, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do announced that it will support free pneumococcal vaccinations for seniors aged 65 and over (born before December 31, 1956).

Invasive infections caused by pneumococcus are fatal to elderly people aged 65 and over with weakened immunity, and if pneumococcal infections progress to bacteremia or meningitis, the fatality rate increases to 60-80%.

The county will intensively carry out vaccinations from June to protect the health of high-risk groups aged 65 and over and to prevent severe pneumonia caused by COVID-19.

However, for seniors who have received COVID-19 vaccinations, simultaneous vaccination is not recommended, so a 14-day interval before and after the COVID vaccine vaccination date (scheduled date) must be maintained.

The target for pneumococcal vaccination is those aged 65 and over who have never received the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). They can receive the vaccination for free by bringing their ID and visiting nearby public health centers or one of the 15 designated medical institutions in the county.

After vaccination, individuals should stay at the vaccination site for 15 to 30 minutes to monitor for any adverse reactions. On the day of vaccination, drinking alcohol, excessive exercise, and showering are prohibited, and rest for more than half a day is recommended.

Kim Sun-bok, director of the public health center, said, “For safe vaccination, it is recommended to make an appointment in advance before visiting health institutions or hospitals, set a visit time, and wear a mask at the scheduled time.” She added, “We will continue to do our best for the health of the residents.”

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