Gyeonggi-do COVID-19 Fourth Dose Vaccination Rate for Seniors Aged 60 and Over Falls Below National Average

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province has urged elderly residents aged 60 and over to participate in the fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, noting that their vaccination rate is below the national average.

As of midnight on the 8th, Gyeonggi Province announced that the vaccination rate for the fourth dose among eligible individuals (aged 60 and over who have passed at least four months since their third dose) is 31.8%, which is 1.5 percentage points lower than the national rate of 33.3%.

The fourth dose vaccination rate in Gyeonggi Province, compared to the entire population aged 60 and over, is 28.6%, 0.9 percentage points lower than the national rate of 29.5%.

The province explained that although the number of COVID-19 cases is declining, most deaths still occur among those aged 60 and above, especially those aged 80 and over, who accounted for 61% of all deaths in Gyeonggi Province from May 29 to June 4, highlighting the necessity of the fourth dose for the elderly.

According to research from Israel, which started the fourth dose earlier, the incidence of severe illness among those aged 60 and over who received the fourth dose was three times lower than those who only received the third dose, the province added.

The fourth dose is available to those aged 60 and over who have passed at least four months (120 days) since their third dose and can be administered with mRNA vaccines such as Pfizer or Moderna, or the Novavax vaccine.

Ryu Young-cheol, Director of the Provincial Health and Wellness Bureau, emphasized, "Even in the situation where the Omicron variant is prevalent, vaccination is the most effective and important way to protect the health of oneself and family."

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