"Flu Alert"... Gangseo-gu Offers Free Influenza Vaccinations Starting from the 20th

"Free Vaccination Days Differ by Age Group" - Important to Note

Gangseo-gu, Seoul announced on the 19th that it will provide free influenza vaccine (quadrivalent influenza vaccine) inoculations for children, pregnant women, the elderly, and vulnerable health groups.

The quadrivalent influenza vaccine protects against four types of influenza viruses. For children aged 6 months to 13 years, the number of doses depends on their vaccination history.

“Single-dose recipients” are children aged 9 years or older or those who have received two or more cumulative doses; they can start vaccination from the 5th of next month. “Two-dose recipients” are children aged 6 months to under 9 years who are receiving the vaccine for the first time or whose vaccination history is unknown. Vaccination for this group begins on the 20th and the second dose should be administered at least 4 weeks after the first. When getting vaccinated, prepare documents that can verify the resident registration number, such as a baby health book or family register, and visit the medical institution with a guardian.

Pregnant women can visit medical institutions from the 5th of next month regardless of their gestational age, bringing documents that can confirm pregnancy, such as a maternity health book.

Elderly people aged 65 and over will be vaccinated sequentially by age group as last year, but this year the vaccination period is extended until the end of April next year. Those aged 75 and over can receive vaccination from October 11, those aged 70 to 74 from October 16, and those aged 65 to 69 from October 19, with a valid ID.

Children, pregnant women, and the elderly can all receive vaccinations at nationwide influenza designated medical institutions.

Vulnerable health groups including ▲severely disabled persons aged 14 to 64 (previously grades 1 to 3) ▲basic livelihood security recipients aged 50 to 64 ▲national merit recipients aged 50 to 64 can receive vaccinations only at designated medical institutions for vulnerable groups in Gangseo-gu from October 23 to December 31. When visiting, in addition to an ID, documents such as a disability welfare card, certificate of recipient status, or national merit certificate must be brought for verification.

Information on designated medical institutions can be found on the Gangseo-gu Public Health Center website or the Vaccination Helper website.

An official from the district said, “We hope that during the vaccination period, people will pay attention to hand washing and wearing masks when visiting medical institutions to ensure safer vaccinations,” and added, “Since the influenza epidemic alert has unusually continued throughout the year, we encourage high-risk groups such as children, who are vulnerable to respiratory infectious diseases, to actively participate in vaccination according to their age schedule.”

The influenza epidemic alert, which was issued in September last year, has unusually continued for a full year, requiring caution. Usually, the epidemic alert is issued every September and lifted in August of the following year. For inquiries about vaccinations, contact the Gangseo-gu Public Health Center Vaccination Office.

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