Chungnam, Free Vaccination for High-Risk Groups of Hepatitis A

[Asia Economy (Naepo) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Chungnam Province will provide free hepatitis A vaccinations to high-risk groups.

The province announced on the 21st that starting this month, patients suffering from chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and other conditions will receive free hepatitis A vaccinations.

The hepatitis A vaccination requires two doses administered six months apart, with the first dose given in the first half of the year and the second dose in the second half.

The city plans to vaccinate those born between 1980 and 1999 immediately without antibody testing due to their low antibody prevalence, while those born between 1970 and 1979, who have a relatively higher antibody prevalence, will undergo antibody testing starting from the 1st of next month, with vaccinations focused on those without antibodies.

The vaccination targets approximately 6,000 individuals in their 20s to 40s (born 1970?1999) who have inpatient or outpatient records with high-risk disease codes, excluding those who have completed vaccination or already have antibodies.

The province will receive information from the National Health Insurance Service on individuals with treatment histories for the target diseases to verify high-risk status and will send notification texts and guidance letters to eligible recipients.

Those notified should visit public health centers or designated medical institutions to confirm their eligibility and then undergo antibody testing or vaccination.

However, since the timing of vaccination and availability of antibody testing may vary between public health centers and designated medical institutions, individuals must check the possibility of antibody testing and vaccination in advance through the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s Vaccination Assistant website or their local public health center before visiting.

Lee Jeong-gu, Director of the Low Birthrate and Health Welfare Office of the province, stated, “Vaccination is essential for high-risk groups such as patients with chronic liver diseases,” and urged, “Avoid consuming raw salted clams whose safety has not been confirmed and strictly adhere to personal preventive measures such as handwashing.”