[Seoul District News] Seongbuk-gu Provides Vaccination Services for Disabled... Seongdong-gu Offers 'One-Stop Vaccination Service' for Unregistered Foreigners on 9th and 12th
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) is providing the 'Accompaniment Service for COVID-19 Vaccination for Persons with Disabilities' to ensure safe and comfortable vaccination for people with disabilities, which has proven highly effective in addressing vaccination blind spots among the disabled.
A Seongbuk-gu official stated, “For people with developmental disabilities, it is difficult to voluntarily comply with quarantine rules such as wearing masks, and for physically disabled individuals who use wheelchairs, vaccination is challenging without an accompanying guardian. Since starting the accompaniment service for vaccination, many have expressed gratitude for helping them overcome these difficulties.”
The service is available to registered persons with disabilities residing in Seongbuk-gu, including those with autism, intellectual, or mental disabilities, physically disabled individuals without accompanying guardians to vaccination sites, and those requiring additional guardians due to wheelchair use. Applications can be made by the individual or their proxy (guardian) by visiting or calling the local community service center at least four days before vaccination.
After registration, Seongbuk-gu Office verifies eligibility, and a professional caregiver certified as a disability activity support worker visits the applicant’s home on the vaccination day. The caregiver accompanies the applicant from home, assisting with vehicle boarding and alighting, vaccination registration, and monitoring for adverse reactions throughout the vaccination process.
Seongbuk-gu covers all transportation and service costs. If no guardian is available, the service is linked with the Care SOS project and other programs. To provide more detailed accompaniment services, Seongbuk-gu collaborates with five organizations, including disability-related groups, companies, and welfare centers.
A bedridden user of the service, Mr. A (55, Jongam-dong), said, “Since I rely on many people for daily life, I thought vaccination was necessary, but it was difficult without a guardian. I learned about the service through the community center, applied, and completed my second dose.” He added, “I was worried because I live in a narrow alleyway residential area, but the district office sent a vehicle and an expert helped me, so I was able to get vaccinated comfortably and safely. I am very grateful.”
The accompaniment service for vaccination started in mid-August, and as of September, 25 people with disabilities have used it. Applications are accepted until the end of September.
Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, said, “We hope more people will use the accompaniment service we provide to guarantee the right of persons with disabilities to receive COVID-19 vaccinations comfortably,” adding, “We will continue to carefully monitor to prevent any vaccination blind spots among the disabled.”
Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) will conduct a ‘One-Stop Vaccination Service’ for undocumented foreigners over two days, on the 9th and 12th.
The district is working with the Seongdong-gu Foreign Workers Support Center to identify unvaccinated undocumented foreigners who are in vaccination blind spots due to reasons such as illegal stay. They are recruiting undocumented foreigners and providing one-stop vaccination services, including issuing temporary management numbers, registration, reception, and vaccination.
During this month’s voluntary vaccination period for undocumented residents, the Janssen vaccine, which requires only one dose, will be administered so that foreigners can complete vaccination with a single visit to the public health center.
Additionally, five volunteers fluent in multiple languages including English, Vietnamese, Mongolian, and Chinese are providing interpretation support in cooperation with the Seongdong-gu Foreign Workers Support Center to enhance convenience for vaccine recipients.
Considering that foreign workers and others find it difficult to get vaccinated during weekday working hours, the vaccination days include holidays to allow foreigners in the area to receive vaccinations conveniently.
The vaccination target group includes undocumented foreigners aged 30 and above (born on or before December 31, 1991) who wish to be vaccinated, including registered foreigners residing in the area. Prior to vaccination, the district is accepting pre-registrations from those wishing to be vaccinated and has secured about 200 candidates to ensure safe and smooth vaccination.
Undocumented foreigners wishing to be vaccinated should bring identification such as a passport and visit the site on the vaccination day.
Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “We will actively support the smooth vaccination of target groups to prevent local COVID-19 infections,” adding, “Information about participants will not be reported to immigration or foreigner authorities, so there will be no disadvantages such as crackdowns or deportation related to illegal stay. We ask everyone to actively participate in vaccination for their own health and that of their coworkers.”
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