Pre-Vaccination Simulation Conducted to Ensure Safe and Rapid Vaccination System... Herd Immunity Expected with Vaccination for Seniors 65+ Starting May and General Residents (18-64) Starting July
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) will take the first step in COVID-19 vaccination on the 26th.
The vaccination will be conducted free of charge sequentially for all residents except pregnant women and children and adolescents under 18 years old.
The first person to receive the vaccine in Jungnang-gu is a caregiver working at Yurin Wongwang Nursing Home. The vaccination will take place at 9 a.m. on the 26th on the first floor of the public health center, with essential medical staff and the mayor in attendance.
The district announced that the caregiver was selected as the first vaccine recipient because they work in a nursing facility vulnerable to group infections and closely care for elderly people with weakened immunity.
This reflects the district’s strong quarantine determination to “prevent group infections in high-risk facilities and protect elderly people vulnerable to COVID-19.”
The first vaccine recipient, caregiver Lee (63), said, “In this dark and desperate situation, I finally feel a light of hope. I am honored to be the first runner in Jungnang-gu’s hope relay to end COVID-19.”
On the 23rd, before the first vaccination, the district conducted a pre-simulation including verification of recipients and preliminary examination at the vaccination site in the public health center, completing thorough preparations for a swift and safe vaccination.
The first round of vaccinations starting February 26 targets residents and workers of nursing hospitals, nursing facilities, and mental rehabilitation facilities under 65 years old. The March target group includes workers in high-risk medical institutions.
From May, residents aged 65 and older, healthcare workers in medical institutions and pharmacies, and residents and workers of elderly home welfare and facilities for people with disabilities will be vaccinated.
Finally, from July, residents aged 18 to 64 and adults with chronic diseases will be vaccinated sequentially. If vaccinations proceed without delay, herd immunity in Jungnang-gu is expected to be achieved by the end of the year, allowing residents to return to normal daily life.
The first target group in Jungnang-gu includes a total of 2,745 people, including 1,714 workers at COVID-19 treatment hospitals. Among them, more than 98% of 1,031 residents and workers of 18 nursing hospitals and nursing facilities under 65 years old agreed to be vaccinated.
Vaccinations will be carried out through hospital-based and public health center visits, with the district prioritizing residents’ safety by allocating personnel and resources accordingly.
The March target group includes 1,380 high-risk medical institution workers and first responders to COVID-19. The May target group includes 72,303 people aged 65 and older and healthcare workers, and the final July target group includes 203,572 residents aged 18 to 64.
The district designated Jungnang Culture and Sports Center as a vaccination center and selected more than 40 hospitals and clinics as entrusted medical institutions to respond quickly according to government policies and vaccine supply.
Additionally, the district announced it will thoroughly inform vaccination recipients sequentially about the timing and location of vaccination and operate the process systematically to ensure all residents who want to receive the vaccine can do so quickly and safely.
Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi of Jungnang-gu emphasized, “Compliance with daily quarantine, rapid testing, and vaccination are the three essential elements to end COVID-19. I ask all residents to participate for the day when everyone will be free from COVID-19. All Jungnang-gu office staff, including myself, will thoroughly prepare to ensure no negligence in quarantine even after vaccinations begin. In particular, we will focus on inspecting facilities with a high risk of COVID-19 outbreaks and make every effort to block the spread.”
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