Dangjin City Offers Free Pneumococcal Vaccinations for Seniors Aged 65 and Over

Vaccinations Available at Designated Contracted Medical Institutions in the City

Pneumococcal Free Vaccination Promotion Poster. / Dangjin City

Dangjin City in South Chungcheong Province announced that it will provide free '23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine (PPSV23)' vaccinations to seniors aged 65 and over.

Pneumococcal vaccination can prevent serious complications such as sepsis and meningitis by 50-80% with just one lifetime dose for those aged 65 and older.

Pneumococcus is a major cause of diseases such as pneumonia, acute otitis media, meningitis, bacteremia, and sinusitis. It is mainly transmitted to others through saliva or nasal discharge from people with pneumonia. Early symptoms such as coughing, phlegm, fever, shortness of breath, and chest pain are similar to those of a common cold.

Free pneumococcal vaccinations for seniors are available at designated contracted medical institutions and the Dangjin City Public Health Center. The list of medical institutions offering the vaccination can be found on the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's Immunization Helper website.

Those wishing to receive the vaccination should check with the designated medical institutions or the public health center's vaccination room to confirm availability before visiting.

An official from the Dangjin City Public Health Center stated, "The elderly with weakened immune systems have a higher incidence of pneumococcal infections, making vaccination essential," and urged, "Those who have not yet been vaccinated should consult with medical staff and get vaccinated."