Goyang City Encourages Vaccination for Unvaccinated Individuals Against Influenza and COVID-19

Vaccination Recommended in November... Free Vaccination for Those Aged 65 and Over Until April 30 Next Year

Goyang Special City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Dong-hwan) has urged those who have not been vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19 to get their vaccinations.

Notice for Simultaneous Vaccination of Influenza and COVID-19 Unvaccinated Individuals. Provided by Goyang Special City

According to Goyang Special City on the 13th, the city began free national influenza vaccinations for children on September 20 and has been conducting influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations for the elderly. Since October 21, the free influenza vaccination target has been expanded from seniors aged 65 and older to include vulnerable groups aged 60 to 64 (basic livelihood security recipients, persons with disabilities, and national merit recipients).

Both influenza and COVID-19 are respiratory infectious diseases that can be transmitted through respiratory droplets such as coughs or sneezes from infected individuals, or through hands that have touched secretions of infected persons or objects contaminated with the virus. Therefore, strengthening personal hygiene along with vaccination is important.

Additionally, it takes more than two weeks to acquire immunity after vaccination. Considering that the influenza season lasts from November to April of the following year and that the vaccination's effectiveness lasts an average of six months, vaccination during October to November is recommended.

Unvaccinated individuals aged 65 and older can receive simultaneous influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations at designated medical institutions nationwide until April 30, 2025, regardless of their place of residence. Vulnerable groups aged 60 to 64 eligible for free influenza vaccination must visit the public health center in their jurisdiction to receive the vaccine.

A representative from Ilsandong-gu Public Health Center stated, “We especially urge seniors aged 65 and older and residents and workers in infection-vulnerable facilities with a high risk of group infection to actively participate in influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations for the health of themselves and those around them.”