With the corona19 vaccination started for the general public, including those aged 75 and over, from the 1st, the government announced that it will efficiently utilize the vaccine secured in the second quarter and deliver it to more people more quickly.
Accordingly, the vaccination period for the elderly and handicapped care workers is also implemented in advance from June to April. Health care workers, aviation crew members, and dialysis patients will also be promoted in April, while kindergartens, daycare centers and elementary school 1st and 2nd grade teachers and carers will be promoted from June to May.
In addition, the 3rd grade high school students and teachers emphasized that they would maximize the number of inoculations through proper inventory management of vaccines and flexible operation of vaccination intervals, including vaccinations in the second quarter, taking into account the nationwide movement according to the SAT.
As such, April is an important time for the corona 19 vaccination to become full-fledged, so let’s take a look at the corona 19 vaccination targets and schedule, standards and methods of vaccination, vaccination institutions and adverse reactions.
◆ Vaccination targets and schedule
-Who should get the COVID-19 vaccination?
All citizens are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. However, pregnant women and children under 18 years of age who are not included in the clinical trial during the vaccine development process are excluded from vaccination, but may be changed according to additional clinical results.
-How do I apply if I want to get the COVID-19 vaccination?
We will inform you of when vaccination is available for each vaccination target, and we will make reservations in advance through the Internet through the vaccination reservation management website or by phone through the call center.
-Can I choose whether to be vaccinated even if I am eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination?
Yes, you can choose whether or not to receive the vaccination. The government provides all national vaccinations for public health purposes in order to effectively manage the corona19 epidemic and minimize damage, but vaccinations are basically performed only with the individual’s voluntary consent.
-Can I get the AstraZeneca Corona 19 vaccine if I am over 65 years old?
AstraZeneca is a vaccine that meets the vaccination goal of reducing severe progression and death as its safety and immunogenicity have been confirmed even in the elderly over 65 years of age, and the effect of preventing serious diseases and deaths has also been confirmed.WHO also used AstraZeneca on February 16th. Approved.
In addition, the results of recent studies in the UK and Scotland were reviewed, and the AstraZeneca vaccine was proven effective in hospitalization and severe prevention in the evaluation of the elderly, and according to the deliberation result of the Vaccination Specialist Committee, it was recommended to be used by those over 65 years old.
-Why did people over 75 get Pfizer vaccine at the vaccination center, and seniors aged 65 to 74 get AstraZeneca vaccine at a foster care institution?
Considering the vaccination priority and the vaccine supply situation, the vaccines for each vaccination target are determined after deliberation by the Vaccination Specialist Committee.
The vaccine supplied in April is Pfizer’s vaccine, and the highest priority is given to those aged 75 and over, and those aged 65 to 74 will be vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is supplied at the end of May.
-Will the order be delayed if it doesn’t match when the time for my vaccination comes?
If there is an acute condition such as fever (above 37.5℃) on the day of vaccination after reservation, the vaccination will be decided according to the judgment of the pre-medical doctor, taking into account the underlying disease and the day’s health condition.
If the subject was excluded by the judgment of the pre-existing doctor, he/she must complete the vaccination within the first vaccination period. However, if vaccination is rejected and vaccination is not scheduled within the deadline, the vaccination ranking will be ranked after the vaccination order.
-When can the general public (age 18-64) get the vaccine?
Seniors 65 years of age or older will be available from the third quarter after vaccination is completed.
-I need to get vaccinated for emergency departure due to public affairs and important economic activities. What is the procedure?
In case of urgent departure due to essential public affairs and important economic activities, vaccinations are obtained after strict screening by the relevant ministries (Ministry of Industry, Mid-term, Foreign Affairs, etc.) for each reason and approved by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Administration.
This is a system that is applied with exceptions and restrictions to essential public affairs and important economic activities that are important nationally, and it is not applicable to all departures.
-There are many types of vaccines in Korea. Do you have any options for vaccines?
In a situation where several types of vaccines are sequentially supplied, in order to safely vaccinate as many people as possible as soon as possible, it is necessary to minimize confusion at the vaccination site by vaccination according to the vaccination sequence, not the type of vaccine.
The vaccination targets for the supplied vaccines are selected through the Vaccination Review Committee, taking into account the quantity and characteristics of each vaccine/platform, safety and effectiveness, and cases of side effects.
-Is it okay for people with chronic or underlying diseases, including common adult diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes, to get the vaccine?
Chronic diseases are more likely to be infected and severely affected, so they need to be right in time.
-Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine when I am pregnant?
For pregnant women, clinical trial results are not yet sufficient. Therefore, pregnant women are not eligible for vaccination until the results of clinical trials for safety and effectiveness are available.
-Can I get vaccination even if I have allergies?
In general, vaccination is not contraindicated in cases of mild allergies such as food allergies, but inoculation is contraindicated in cases where the constituents of the vaccine have a history of severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis, or if an anaphylaxis reaction occurs in the first vaccination.
You should also consult your doctor if you have a history of other serious allergic reactions.
-If there is a history of severe allergic reaction to polyethylene glycol (PEG) or related ingredients (molecules) or polysorbate (Pfizer, Modena), it is included as contraindications for vaccination.
-(AstraZeneca) Included in contraindications for vaccination if there is a history of severe allergic reaction to polysorbate.
-It does not contain PEG, but it contains polysorbate, which may cause cross-hypersensitivity reactions with PEG, so those who are suspected of PEG allergy need caution in vaccination.
◆ Vaccination implementation standards and methods
-If the 2nd vaccination is delayed, should I take it again?
If the second dose is delayed, it should be given as soon as possible. However, it is not necessary to do the 1st vaccination again because the 2nd vaccination is delayed.
-Is it possible to inoculate the COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines at the same time?
When concurrent vaccination with other vaccines, data on the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine are insufficient, so it is recommended to vaccination alone.
In addition, it is recommended to keep at least 14 days before and after vaccination with other vaccines, and additional vaccinations are not recommended if the COVID-19 vaccine is inadvertently vaccinated with other vaccines or within 14 days.
-If I was a confirmed corona19 patient and recovered, do those who are diagnosed and treated also need vaccination?
Those who are in quarantine after being diagnosed with Corona 19 can be vaccinated after recovery. However, if you have received COVID-19 antibody treatment, it is recommended that vaccination be administered after at least 90 days to avoid the interference effect of the immune response and antibody treatment caused by the COVID-19 vaccination.
◆ Inoculation organs and adverse reactions
-What kind of vaccine will the vaccination center and consignment medical institution receive?
The vaccination center inoculates mRNA vaccines that require handling and storage processes such as cryogenic storage and pre-treatment, and consignment medical institutions are vaccinated with viral vector vaccines that have the same distribution and storage system as other vaccines continuously supplied by medical institutions.
-Do you run weekends and nights for office workers who cannot immunize during the vaccination center’s operating hours?
The vaccination center operating hours can be flexibly operated for office workers and self-employed persons, and the operating days and hours can be set differently depending on the conditions of each local government.
-Can I get vaccinations even if it is difficult to visit the vaccination center due to discomfort?
Due to the nature of the vaccine, it is possible to inoculate at the prepared facility (Vaccination Center) as it requires processes such as freezing and transporting, thawing and dilution before vaccination, so it is possible to inoculate only if a person with mobility impairment can visit the vaccination center.
If you have difficulty in moving, you can visit the vaccination center individually, accompanied by a guardian, caregiver (nursing care worker, etc.), and medical staff, and if you want to receive vaccination, you can get vaccination at the center.
-What should I do if an adverse reaction occurs after the COVID-19 vaccination?
After vaccination, minor adverse reactions such as pain, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, and fever at the vaccination site may occur temporarily. If you experience these symptoms, take an acetaminophen-based antipyretic/pain reliever immediately.
Most of the symptoms are improved by taking antipyretic or analgesics, but if fever or muscle pain persists for more than 2 days, or does not improve or worsens even after taking painkillers, please visit a nearby medical institution.
However, if you experience a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis, etc.) accompanied by difficulty breathing, facial edema, loss of consciousness, etc., please call 911 immediately or visit the nearest emergency room.
-How can I help with minor adverse reactions after vaccination?
If you have swelling or pain in the vaccination site after vaccination, put a clean dry towel on it and apply a cold compress on it. If you have a mild fever, drink plenty of fluids and take a break.
☞ Go to Corona 19 Vaccination Q&A Collection