Gwangju Mayor Park Kwan-yeol emphasized on September 21 that "vaccination is not only about protecting myself but also about safeguarding my family and neighbors."
On this day, Mayor Park announced that influenza vaccinations will be implemented in phases, starting with children aged 6 months to 14 years and pregnant women, who are eligible for free vaccinations.
The vaccination schedule varies for seniors. Those aged 75 and older can begin receiving vaccinations on October 6, while those aged 70 to 74 can start on October 12, and those aged 65 to 69 can begin on October 15. Vaccinations will be available at 128 designated medical institutions in Gwangju.
COVID-19 vaccinations will also be administered sequentially to seniors aged 65 and older. Vaccinations for those aged 70 and above will start on October 12, and for those aged 65 to 69, on October 15.
Mayor Park recommends that seniors aged 65 and older receive both the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines on the same day. He explained that receiving both vaccines simultaneously does not increase the risk of adverse reactions, allowing individuals to reduce the number of visits to medical facilities.
In particular, seniors aged 75 and older, who will begin receiving influenza vaccinations first, can also get both vaccines together if they visit a medical institution after October 12.
In addition to the national free vaccination program, the city plans to expand its own support.
Eligible individuals for the national free vaccinations can receive them at designated medical institutions nationwide, regardless of their registered address, while those eligible for the city’s support must go to designated facilities in Gwangju.
Vaccination recipients must bring identification, and pregnant women should have their maternity booklet or pregnancy confirmation document. Individuals with severe disabilities need to present a welfare card or disability registration certificate, and those receiving basic living support should bring a certificate of eligibility.
Mayor Park stressed the importance of vaccinations and urged citizens to participate actively.
Information is being provided to help citizens conveniently access vaccinations at nearby designated medical institutions.
Designated medical institutions can be found through the vaccination assistant website, mobile application, and the city health center's website.
After vaccination, it is recommended to stay at the medical facility for 20 to 30 minutes to monitor for any adverse reactions.
Citizens eligible for free vaccinations have expressed interest in the reduced financial burden and the convenience of receiving vaccinations at nearby facilities. One citizen remarked, "I always thought about getting the flu shot every year, but sometimes I missed the timing or was concerned about the cost. Now that I can get it for free, the burden has lessened, and I plan to schedule it for my family's health."
Meanwhile, Mayor Park added, "One person's vaccination leads to the safety of the entire community, so I encourage everyone to participate actively."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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