Health Authorities Provide Free Rapid Antigen Test Kits to 6.23 Million Vulnerable Groups

For Elderly, Pregnant Women, and Disabled Facility Residents... Approximately 4.4 Million Additional Units to Be Distributed After the Second Week of April

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The quarantine authorities have provided approximately 6.23 million infection-vulnerable individuals with rapid antigen test kits free of charge.

On the 8th, Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated, "From the fourth week of February to the first week of April, about 6.23 million infection-vulnerable people nationwide were provided with 41.58 million rapid antigen test kits free of charge." This was intended to support infection-vulnerable groups in conducting proactive testing autonomously without purchase burden in preparation for the spread of the Omicron variant.

The recipients of the kits included daycare centers, elderly social welfare facilities, pregnant women, residents of other social welfare facilities such as persons with disabilities and children, severely disabled individuals, and basic livelihood security recipients. Each recipient was supported with 1 to 2 rapid antigen test kits per week.

To distribute the rapid antigen test kits free of charge, the Ministry of Health and Welfare secured a budget of 58.1 billion KRW through the '2022 First Supplementary Budget Review' in February.

In February, when kit supply was unstable, rapid antigen test kits were prioritized for distribution to daycare infants and teachers, and residents of elderly social welfare facilities, who have low immunity levels and are easily exposed to infection risks due to group living. From March, rapid antigen test kits were provided to pregnant women, residents of social welfare facilities such as persons with disabilities and children, severely disabled individuals, and basic livelihood security recipients.

The quarantine authorities plan to provide an additional approximately 4.4 million rapid antigen test kits after the second week of April. Kits will be distributed sequentially to facilities with high infection vulnerability by city/province and city/county/district. The distribution timing may vary by region depending on procurement and delivery schedules.

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