Gyeongnam Province to Begin COVID-19 Vaccinations Starting February

By Mid-March, 23 Vaccination Centers to Be Established in 18 Cities and Counties

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] Gyeongsangnam-do will sequentially promote COVID-19 vaccination starting in February.

To this end, the province and 18 cities and counties have completed the formation of the COVID-19 Vaccination Promotion Team and local consultative bodies and have begun full-scale operations.

By mid-March, the province will establish 23 vaccination centers (one per city/county, with 5 in Changwon and 2 in Gimhae) in the 18 cities and counties and designate and operate about 1,000 entrusted medical institutions.

About 800 medical and administrative personnel will be deployed to the vaccination centers.

Regarding the supply of medical personnel, close cooperation will be maintained with city and county quarantine authorities, local medical associations, and nursing associations.

On this day, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced that after reviewing the efficacy and safety of the vaccine, it will prioritize vaccination for medical staff following prior discussions with experts and the medical community and deliberation by the Vaccination Expert Committee.

Accordingly, about 1,000 medical institution workers, including those at Masan Medical Center, an infectious disease-dedicated hospital in the province, will be vaccinated first.

The remaining approximately 53,000 medical institution workers and about 10,000 residents of elderly welfare facilities will be vaccinated, and thereafter, vaccination will be gradually expanded to the general public according to government policy.

Additionally, a 'Public-Private Joint Rapid Response Team' composed of medical experts such as experienced doctors and epidemiologists will be formed to alleviate residents' concerns about adverse reactions after vaccination.

From February, residents will be provided with information about COVID-19 vaccination, including timing, locations, and precautions, in advance through the COVID-19 vaccination information website.