Yangcheon-gu Provides Health Support Including Vaccinations for 'Premature and Developmentally Delayed Infants and Toddlers'

Yangcheon-gu, Seoul (Mayor Lee Gi-jae) is promoting healthy growth support for premature and developmentally delayed infants through the ‘Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccination Cost Support’ and ‘Infant Development Support Services.’

A guardian visiting Yangcheon-gu Public Health Center to apply for RSV vaccination expenses. Provided by Yangcheon-gu.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is an acute respiratory infection that causes outbreaks among newborns and can be fatal to high-risk groups such as premature infants born before their lungs are fully developed. Although vaccination is the only hope for prevention, the cost per dose exceeds an average of 700,000 KRW, placing a significant financial burden on families.

In response, the district established the ‘Ordinance on Support for Premature Infant Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccination Costs’ in May last year, the first of its kind among local governments nationwide. To address the blind spots excluded from insurance coverage, the district selected all premature infants born before 36 weeks of pregnancy as eligible recipients regardless of health insurance reimbursement criteria and began providing support.

The support targets children of residents who have been registered and living in Yangcheon-gu for more than six months as of the application date. This applies retroactively to babies born from January 1, 2024. Eligible recipients will receive full reimbursement of their out-of-pocket expenses paid to medical institutions for RSV vaccination within 24 months of birth, up to five doses.

Those wishing to receive support must apply at the public health center within one year from the day after the final vaccination date, either by visiting in person or by mail, after receiving the RSV vaccination at a medical institution. However, duplicate support is not allowed for medical expenses covered by other laws.

Additionally, the district operates the ‘Infant Development Support Service’ to proactively assist infants at risk of developmental delays through play, art, speech therapy, and more, safeguarding the golden time for growth.

The support targets infants aged 0 to 6 years with a household income at or below 140% of the median income who have been assessed as having ‘developmental delay’ or ‘borderline development’ based on developmental evaluations. Eligible infants can use vouchers to access developmental promotion programs such as speech therapy, play therapy, sensory integration therapy, music and art therapy, and psychological counseling at designated service providers.

Depending on income level, recipients are classified into Grade 1 or 2 and receive vouchers worth 180,000 KRW or 160,000 KRW per month, respectively, for a period of 12 months from the date of allocation. Applications are accepted starting this month, and residents can apply in person at their local community service center from the 1st to the 15th of each month.

Recognizing the importance of early response to infant developmental delays, the district launched the Infant Development Support Service in March last year, assisting the physical and emotional development of a total of 33 children. This year, 18 new children will be recruited to continue the support.

Mayor Lee Gi-jae stated, “Through Yangcheon-gu’s demand-tailored childcare and health support projects such as RSV vaccination cost support and infant development support services, we hope our children can grow up healthy. We will continue to proactively respond to the low birthrate environment to make Yangcheon-gu a safe and child-friendly place to raise children.”