Gyeonggi-do to Offer Free COVID-19 Vaccinations from the 19th... Simultaneous Flu Vaccination Recommended

Gyeonggi Provincial Government

Gyeonggi Province will provide free COVID-19 vaccinations from the 19th of this month until March 31st of next year.

This vaccination is for seniors aged 65 and older, immunocompromised individuals aged 12 to 64, and members of facilities vulnerable to infection. Other individuals aged 12 to 64 who wish to be vaccinated can receive the vaccine starting from the 1st of next month.

The XBB.1.5 monovalent vaccine administered this season is a customized vaccine targeting the currently prevalent variant virus, offering up to four times the effectiveness against the variant compared to existing vaccines.

This vaccine can be administered at least three months (90 days) after the last vaccination, and only one dose is required within the period regardless of previous vaccination or infection history.

Although the fatality rate from COVID-19 infection is 40 times higher in those aged 65 and older compared to those under 65, vaccination can reduce the risk of hospitalization and death to one-twentieth.

Advance reservations can be made through the 1339 call center or the vaccination reservation system website. From the start date of vaccination, same-day vaccination is also possible by confirming vaccine availability at medical institutions before visiting.

In particular, this year, simultaneous vaccination with COVID-19 and influenza vaccines on the same day is recommended to prepare for the concurrent spread of COVID-19 and influenza this winter, as domestic and international studies have continuously confirmed no issues with immune response formation and safety.

A Gyeonggi Province official stated, "We strongly recommend vaccination for seniors aged 65 and older, who have a high fatality rate when infected, to prevent severe illness and death from COVID-19," and added, "To prevent infection, individuals with respiratory symptoms should wear masks, practice proper handwashing, and follow respiratory infection prevention guidelines such as cough etiquette."

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