Difficult Solo Vaccination and Self-Treatment... Disabled People Left in the 'Vaccine Blind Spot'

Severely Disabled Person Dies on the Way to Screening Clinic
Home Treatment Classified as 'General Group'... Self-Treatment

On the 22nd, when 99,573 new COVID-19 cases were reported, citizens who visited the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza were waiting to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] As COVID-19 reaches its peak, people with disabilities have been placed in a 'vaccine blind spot.'

On the 24th, Asia Economy checked 10 hospitals in Seoul areas such as Gangnam and Seongbuk, and found that for the hearing impaired, they are guided to receive 'vaccinations' accompanied by a guardian. If they visit alone, they cannot receive the vaccine. It was also found that hospitals do not wear lip-view (transparent window showing lips) masks for the hearing impaired.

An employee working at an otolaryngology clinic located in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, said, "Since we operate on a small scale with one doctor and one nurse, it is difficult to respond to people with disabilities on a case-by-case basis," adding, "When inquiries about vaccination come in, we guide them to use other clinics."

There have also been cases of death on the way to get a rapid genetic test (PCR). On the 22nd, in a street in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, a visually impaired person with grade 3 disability, Mr. A, was found collapsed about 30 meters from his home. It was confirmed that he left home to get tested after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

Choi (32), a hearing-impaired person, said, "Due to COVID-19, communication difficulties have made me afraid to visit hospitals, community service centers, and banks," and added, "During the COVID-19 situation, sign language interpretation and text interpretation should be more actively provided." Even looking at the home treatment system implemented from the 10th, people with disabilities are included in the 'general management group,' meaning they must observe their health condition and self-manage.

Experts point out that vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, homeless people, and single-person households should be classified as 'high-risk' groups and managed integrally.

Professor Kim Wooju of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University said, "People who are economically well-off or ordinary tend to respond proactively to COVID-19 infection," adding, "However, vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, homeless people, and single-person households are left to fend for themselves." He also said, "An integrated channel for vulnerable groups should be created."

A representative from the Korea Association of the Deaf also said, "Local governments other than Seoul, Daejeon, and Incheon do not provide nighttime sign language interpretation services," adding, "After 6 p.m., even if an emergency occurs, it may be difficult to find sign language interpreters."

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