Gwangju City to Begin COVID-19 Vaccinations from the 11th

Published 10 Oct.2024 10:59(KST)

Recommended Simultaneous COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccination for High-Risk Groups Including Seniors Aged 65 and Over

COVID-19 Vaccination Information. <br>Photo by Gwangju City

COVID-19 Vaccination Information.
Photo by Gwangju City

Gwangju City announced on the 10th that starting from the 11th, it will conduct the '2024~2025 Seasonal COVID-19 Vaccination' targeting high-risk groups such as seniors aged 65 and older.

The COVID-19 vaccine for this vaccination is a new vaccine (JN.1) effective against currently circulating variants, and it is also effective against recently prevalent strains. It has been confirmed to have about five times higher immune response compared to the vaccine (XBB.1.5) used in the previous season.

Free vaccinations will be provided to high-risk groups including seniors aged 65 and older, immunocompromised individuals aged six months and above, and residents or inpatients of infection-vulnerable facilities. General citizens outside the high-risk groups can receive paid vaccinations at local medical institutions.

The vaccination period runs from the 11th until April 30 of next year. Seniors aged 65 and older can receive both the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines simultaneously in a single visit to a medical institution. By age group, vaccinations start on the 11th for those aged 75 and older, on the 15th for those aged 70 to 74, and on the 19th for those aged 65 to 69. Immunocompromised individuals aged six months and above and residents or inpatients of infection-vulnerable facilities can be vaccinated from the 11th regardless of age.

Son Oksu, Director of the Welfare and Health Bureau of Gwangju City, stated, “It is important for those aged 65 and older, who are at high risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 infection, to receive annual vaccinations,” and added, “We recommend simultaneous vaccination of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines for a safe winter.”