Gwangju City, Gyeonggi Province to Launch Free Influenza Vaccination Program

Gwangju City Public Health Center in Gyeonggi Province announced on September 16 that it will begin offering free influenza vaccinations in phases starting on the 22nd, targeting high-risk groups such as children, pregnant women, and seniors to prevent the spread of influenza.

Gwangju City Implements Free Influenza Vaccinations. Provided by Gyeonggi Gwangju City

The national free vaccination program covers children aged 6 months to 13 years, pregnant women, and seniors aged 65 and older. Among these, children who require two doses will be eligible for vaccination starting on the 22nd, while children who need only one dose and pregnant women can receive the vaccine from the 29th. Seniors aged 75 and older can get vaccinated from October 15, those aged 70 to 74 from October 20, and those aged 65 to 69 from October 22. Vaccinations will be administered at 129 designated medical institutions within the region. In particular, seniors aged 65 and older are encouraged to receive the influenza vaccine simultaneously with the COVID-19 vaccine.

In addition to the national program, the city will provide free vaccinations from October 15 to December 31 for residents registered in Gwangju who are 64 years old, severely disabled individuals aged 14 to 63 (grades 1 to 3), and basic livelihood security recipients aged 50 to 63 (recipients of livelihood or medical benefits).

Starting this season, based on recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Immunization Advisory Committee, the trivalent vaccine will be used instead of the previous quadrivalent vaccine. The trivalent vaccine excludes the B Yamagata virus antigen, which has not been detected for an extended period. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency stated that there is no difference in effectiveness or safety between the trivalent and quadrivalent vaccines.

Those eligible for the national free vaccination can receive their shots at any designated medical institution nationwide, regardless of their registered address. However, individuals eligible under Gwangju City's own program must visit designated medical institutions within the city. Information about medical institutions is available on the Immunization Helper website (https://nip.kdca.go.kr), the mobile app, or the Gwangju City Public Health Center website. When receiving the vaccination, individuals must bring identification and supporting documents, and it is recommended to remain at the medical institution for 20 to 30 minutes afterward to monitor for any adverse reactions.

Mayor Bang Sehwan stated, "Vaccination is the most reliable way to protect the health of seniors and vulnerable groups," and added, "We encourage all citizens to actively participate in the vaccination program and to continue practicing personal hygiene measures such as wearing masks, washing hands, and following proper cough etiquette."

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