Pfizer vaccine▶ Click here for a larger view
As the vaccination of a novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) targeting 75 years of age or older is approaching a week in the future, the government’s preparation work is also accelerating.
According to the Corona 19 Vaccination Promotion Group (hereinafter referred to as the Promotion Group) on the 25th, the first dose of Pfizer vaccine for a total of 3.64 million people aged 75 or older will begin on the 1st of next month.
The vaccine to be used for vaccination came in first for 250,000 people (500,000 doses) the day before, and an additional 250,000 doses will be introduced on the 31st. In addition, 3 million people (for 6 million times) will arrive sequentially by June.
The promotion team said, “Detailed date of vaccine introduction can be adjusted according to the factory’s shipment schedule, local transportation schedule, and flight, so it is not easy to determine the schedule in advance,” he said.
Pfizer vaccine stored in cryogenic freezers▶ Click here for a larger view
Pfizer vaccines must be stored at temperatures around -70 degrees Celsius, so those over 75 will be vaccinated at vaccination centers nationwide.
The government plans to establish a total of 254 vaccination centers, including central (1), regional (3), and regional (250) units, by July to increase accessibility. First, 162 will be installed by next month.
The Ministry of Public Administration and Security, the Fire Department, and the Ministry of National Defense have been conducting mock training at each vaccination center since the 17th to ensure smooth vaccination.
The government is also conducting training for nurses and vaccine storage and management personnel to ensure safe vaccination.
In addition, a separate vaccination method is being devised for elderly people aged 75 who have difficulty in mobility or have difficulty visiting the vaccination center because they live in islands and mountainous areas.
In a briefing the day before, Hong Jeong-ik, head of the vaccination planning team, said, “If possible, I think we should find a way to get the vaccine near them. It is also under review,” he explained, saying, “We will make a countermeasure and implement it after deliberation by the Vaccination Specialist Committee.”
The government is currently investigating those who consent to vaccination out of a total of 3.64 million people over the age of 75. It seems that only after the investigation is completed, the size of the person who will visit the vaccination center and who will receive the vaccination in a separate manner will be determined.
The task of determining who will be inoculated is still in the early stages.
Those who want to receive the vaccination can go to the local community center and submit the vaccination consent form. Currently, the government is also conducting a method in which the official in charge, the head of the bank, the head of the bank, and the head of the group in charge visit the person to be vaccinated directly to investigate whether they consent or not.
While the investigation schedule is tight, some local governments have been confused by informing them that’people with serious underlying diseases are excluded from vaccination’ in the process of investigating whether to consent to vaccination.
The government is encouraging participation by saying that the elderly and patients with underlying diseases need to be vaccinated because of the high risk of serious progression or death when infected with Corona 19.
Team leader Hong said, “Because the risk of death and seriousness from infection is so great, the benefits of vaccination are greater.”
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) will hold a public information session on the 29th to deliver accurate information ahead of vaccinations over the age of 75. Experts are also present to answer questions received through the KCDC call center (☎ 1339) and targets 75 years of age or older, along with basic explanations on vaccination.
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