Jeonnam Province Begins 4th COVID-19 Vaccination for Immunocompromised Individuals

From March 1, confirmed patients' cohabitants will be switched to passive monitoring regardless of vaccination status

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province announced on the 28th that it has started the 4th COVID-19 vaccination for immunocompromised individuals aged 18 and over who have completed their 3rd dose after making reservations and receiving vaccinations.

The 4th dose can be administered starting 4 months after completing the 3rd dose. However, if there are special reasons such as overseas travel, hospitalization, or treatment, vaccination can be done after only 3 months.

Immunocompromised individuals have weakened immune systems due to underlying conditions or treatments that suppress the immune system, making them vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, so vaccination is essential.

This mainly includes those undergoing chemotherapy for tumors or hematologic cancers, those who have undergone organ transplant surgery and are taking immunosuppressants.

Also included are patients within 2 years after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or those more than 2 years post-transplant but still receiving immunosuppressive therapy, individuals with primary (congenital) immunodeficiency, patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and those undergoing high-dose corticosteroid or immunosuppressive drug treatment.

Additionally, residents and workers in nursing hospitals and care facilities are prioritized for the 4th dose.

This measure is in response to the recent increase in confirmed cases among high-risk groups such as nursing hospitals and facilities, considering the reduced effectiveness of the 3rd dose, to prevent infections in high-risk groups.

Nursing hospitals conduct vaccinations internally, while care facilities have vaccinations administered by public health center staff or contracted physicians visiting the facilities.

Furthermore, immunocompromised individuals meeting the criteria who are deemed to need a booster dose may receive vaccination based on a physician’s opinion.

A Jeonnam Province official stated, “The 4th additional vaccination aims to prevent severe illness and death among high-risk groups amid the surge in confirmed cases,” and urged, “Eligible individuals should definitely participate in COVID-19 vaccination to build immunity.”

In addition, following government policy to improve delays in managing confirmed cases and their cohabitants amid the surge in cases, starting next month on the 1st, cohabitants of confirmed cases will be switched to passive monitoring regardless of vaccination history.

Cohabitants are required to take one polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 3 days and a rapid antigen test on the 7th day. This will be applied retroactively to those currently under management.

However, for schools, to support normal attendance under thorough quarantine at the beginning of the semester, this will be applied starting from the 14th of next month, after the new semester adjustment period.

Cohabitants must follow recommended guidelines for 10 days from the confirmed case’s test date. The recommendations include staying at home for 3 days, refraining from going out afterward, always wearing a KF94 mask when going out, and avoiding high-risk facilities and private gatherings.

From the 1st, isolation notifications for confirmed cases will be sent via text messages and social networking services (SNS), and if requested, a written isolation notice will be issued.

Since the isolation release confirmation can be verified based on the release date indicated in the isolation notification, the issuance of separate confirmation documents will be discontinued.

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