"Wash your hands and wear a mask," health officials urge
Gangwon Province announced Thursday it will move up its influenza vaccination schedule to protect vulnerable populations, after health authorities issued a flu epidemic alert more than a month earlier than in previous years.
Those wishing to be vaccinated may visit any nearby public health center or contracted medical institution regardless of their registered address. Officials advise checking in advance whether a given facility is administering the vaccine by contacting the local health center or visiting the vaccination assistance website.
Yoo Ji-young, director of the province's Welfare and Health Bureau, urged residents to "follow personal hygiene practices such as washing hands and wearing masks in addition to getting vaccinated, and to visit a medical institution promptly if symptoms such as fever or coughing appear."
Children requiring two doses were originally set to begin vaccinations on a staggered schedule, but the province has unified the timetable for both first- and second-dose recipients to curb the spread of group infections. Older adults at high risk of flu complications will also receive their shots earlier than planned, starting Oct. 6, to prevent severe illness.
Overall, this year's vaccination rollout has been moved up by three to seven days compared with the original schedule.
The number of influenza patients per doctor has quadrupled over the past month, and the government issued a flu epidemic alert on Friday.
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