Daejeon City Council Holds Policy Discussion on Infectious Disease Prevention
for Basic Livelihood Security Recipients and People with Disabilities
On December 17, the Daejeon City Council held a policy discussion on infectious disease prevention for basic livelihood security recipients and people with disabilities in the council's communication room.
The discussion was presided over by Assemblywoman Hwang Kyunga (People Power Party, Proportional Representation) and was organized to raise awareness of the dangers of pneumonia and explore ways to improve public health.
The discussion began with a presentation by Professor Kim Yeonsuk of Chungnam National University Hospital, followed by active debates from Nam Jungwoo, Director of the Daejeon Center for Social Rehabilitation of the Severely Disabled; Park Sangdo, President of the Daejeon Chapter of the Korean Senior Citizens Association; Bae Taehyun, Director of the Daejeon Traffic Disabled Rehabilitation Association; Attorney An Jinsul of Hwahong Law Office; Oh Jinse, Head of the Disease Prevention Team at Daejeon Metropolitan City; Lee Byeongbeom, President of the Korean Association of Families with Mental Disabilities; Choi Hana, Head of the Infectious Disease Control Team at Seogu Public Health Center; and Hwang Hyosuk, Director of Jung-gu Public Health Center.
The participants confirmed that Daejeon has a higher pneumonia mortality rate compared to the national average, and shared the view that there should be no medical discrimination based on economic or social circumstances.
They also agreed on the need for substantial support at the Daejeon Metropolitan City level for medically vulnerable groups, such as those with chronic diseases and immunocompromised individuals.
The main topics discussed included: expanding vaccination support to close gaps in the national immunization program; increasing support for pneumococcal conjugate vaccine immunization; strengthening outreach vaccination services; and enhancing the promotion of infectious disease prevention guidelines.
Assemblywoman Hwang Kyunga stated, "In September, we amended the Daejeon Metropolitan City ordinance on infectious diseases to enable support for pneumococcal vaccination for basic livelihood security recipients and people with disabilities, but specific support measures and budgets have not yet been finalized." She added, "It is necessary for Daejeon City, local districts, and public health centers to work closely together and seek solutions to expand immunization with protein conjugate vaccines such as PCV20, so that citizens can be protected from the dangers of pneumonia."
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