Director Kim Hee-chul of Senior Care Center Selected as 'Seodaemun-gu's First Vaccine Recipient'

Seodaemun-gu to Begin COVID-19 Vaccinations from the 26th... First Recipient is Director of Gurip Seodaemun Senior Care Center

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) will provide free COVID-19 vaccinations sequentially from the 26th to all residents except pregnant women and children and adolescents under 18 years old.

The first recipient in Seodaemun-gu is Director Kim Hee-cheol (57) of the Seodaemun-gu Public Senior Nursing Center, who will be vaccinated at the Seodaemun Public Health Center on the 26th.

The district designated workers at high-risk facilities who care closely for elderly people with weak immunity as the first priority for vaccination.

Director Kim said, "As the first vaccine recipient in Seodaemun-gu, I want to prove that the vaccine is safe and the only way to escape from COVID-19."

The first vaccination target group includes residents and workers of nursing hospitals, nursing facilities, and psychiatric medical institutions (closed wards) under 65 years old.

In March, the target group includes workers at high-risk medical institutions, medical staff treating COVID-19 patients, and first-response personnel for COVID-19.

From May, residents aged 65 and older, healthcare workers at medical institutions and pharmacies, residents and workers of elderly home welfare facilities and facilities for people with disabilities will be vaccinated sequentially, followed by adult chronic patients and residents aged 18 to 64 from July.

The first quarter vaccination target in Seodaemun-gu includes about 7,500 people, including 241 workers at COVID-19 treatment hospitals, with vaccinations conducted at the Seodaemun Public Health Center and affiliated hospitals.

The second quarter target this year includes about 55,000 people such as elderly residents aged 65 and older and healthcare workers, and the second half target includes about 220,000 residents aged 18 to 64.

The district designated Bukahyeon Culture and Sports Center (1012-2 Bukahyeon-dong) as a vaccination center and selected more than 100 hospitals and clinics in the area as entrusted medical institutions to respond promptly according to government policies and vaccine supply.

Additionally, the district plans to thoroughly inform residents who are sequentially eligible for vaccination about the timing and location to ensure that all residents who wish to receive the vaccine can do so without any issues.

Moon Seok-jin, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, said, "We will ensure smooth vaccination for residents and thoroughly carry out quarantine activities until the end of COVID-19."