Jeonju City: "Flu and Other Outbreaks... Get Vaccinated"

Free Vaccinations for Children, Pregnant Women, and Seniors Aged 65 and Older

The Jeonju City Public Health Center in North Jeolla Province announced on October 29 that, following the recent issuance of an influenza epidemic advisory, it is urging residents to get vaccinated against influenza (flu) and COVID-19 to prepare for the spread of infectious diseases during the winter season.

Jeonju City Hall exterior. Provided by Jeonju City

The recipients eligible for free flu vaccination for the 2025-2026 season are: ▲ children aged 6 months to 13 years and pregnant women ▲ seniors aged 65 and older ▲ vulnerable groups in Jeonju aged 50 to 64 (including basic livelihood security recipients, people with disabilities, and national merit honorees).

▲ Seniors aged 65 and older ▲ immunocompromised individuals aged 6 months and older ▲ residents and inpatients of infection-prone facilities are eligible for free COVID-19 vaccination.

Influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered sequentially by age group since September 29, and those eligible for free vaccination can receive their shots at designated medical institutions nationwide.

However, vulnerable groups in Jeonju aged 50 to 64 (including basic livelihood security recipients, people with disabilities, and national merit honorees) must visit the Jeonju City Public Health Center or the Deokjin Public Health Center, rather than designated medical institutions, to receive free vaccination.

The public health center recommends getting vaccinated between October and December, taking into account that influenza typically circulates from November to April each year and that the effect of the vaccine lasts on average for six months. In particular, the center strongly recommends vaccination for seniors aged 65 and older, who are at high risk of complications, to help prevent the spread of influenza and reduce the disease burden among this group.

Additionally, for the elderly with weakened immune systems, it is recommended to receive pneumococcal vaccination along with flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to prevent infectious diseases during the winter season.

The Jeonju City Public Health Center provides free pneumococcal vaccination year-round for seniors aged 65 and older. The vaccine used is the "23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV)," which, when administered once in a lifetime to those aged 65 and older, helps prevent invasive pneumococcal diseases (such as bacteremic pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis), severe pneumonia, and complications from other respiratory illnesses.

The city is also offering free shingles vaccination through designated medical institutions for vulnerable groups aged 65 and older (including basic livelihood security recipients and those in the second-lowest income bracket) and for seniors aged 80 and older who have not previously received the shingles vaccine. For more information about vaccinations, residents can contact the Millennium Jeonju Call Center, the Jeonju City Public Health Center, or the Deokjin Public Health Center.

Kim Sinsun, Director of the Jeonju City Public Health Center, stated, "For high-risk groups, vaccination is essential to prepare for the spread of infectious diseases during the winter season," and added, "We ask for your active interest and participation in vaccination to ensure the health and safety of our citizens."