Gochang-gun Expands Eligibility for 4th COVID-19 Vaccination Dose

[Gochang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil] On the 19th, Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk announced that, in accordance with the recommendations of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, it will expand the '4th vaccination target' to include people in their 50s and other high-risk groups to prevent severe illness and death from COVID-19.

The 4th vaccination targets include people in their 50s, individuals aged 18 and over with underlying health conditions, residents and workers of facilities for the disabled and homeless.

According to an analysis by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the effectiveness of the 4th COVID-19 vaccination in Korea shows a 50.6% prevention effect against severe illness and a 53.3% prevention effect against death compared to the 3rd vaccination group, and these effects are confirmed to be long-lasting.

The 50s age group eligible for the 4th vaccination includes those born from 1963 onwards up to those born before 1972, based on birth year.

Individuals aged 18 and over with underlying health conditions include those born from 1973 onwards up to those born before 2004, who must indicate the presence of underlying conditions on the COVID-19 vaccination questionnaire and receive vaccination after confirmation and consultation with the screening doctor.

The vaccination interval is at least 4 months (120 days) after the 3rd vaccination, and the vaccination can be administered with either an mRNA vaccine or the Novavax vaccine, which can be selected at the time of reservation.

Advance reservations have been available since the 18th, same-day vaccination is possible with leftover vaccines, and scheduled vaccinations will begin on the 1st of next month.

Reservations can be made through the Disease Control Agency’s website, by calling 1339, or via the Gochang-gun Public Health Center call center.

Additionally, 12 public health branch offices also support reservations upon visit.

A public health center official stated, “Since this expansion is based on scientific evidence, we strongly urge high-risk groups with a high risk of severe illness and death to get vaccinated to prepare for a resurgence.”

Gochang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil baekok@asiae.co.kr