Yongin City's First Vaccine Recipient: "A Thrilling Moment Taking the First Step Toward Ending COVID-19"

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hun Reporter] "It is an honor to receive the first COVID-19 vaccine in Yongin City. I hope that before this year ends, we overcome COVID-19 and reach a day when we can breathe freely without masks."

These are the words of Kwak Se-geun (59), who received the first COVID-19 vaccine dose in Yongin City.

On the 26th, when COVID-19 vaccine inoculations began, Kwak, who is hospitalized at Heungdeok Uri Nursing Hospital, became Yongin City's first vaccine recipient according to the government's vaccination plan.

Kwak said, "I feel relieved after receiving the shot. I miss my mother and family, whom I haven't been able to see since I was admitted to the hospital on the 27th of last month," and added, "I hope that vaccination is completed as soon as possible and COVID-19 comes to an end so that everyone can return to their normal daily lives."

Mayor Baek Kyun-gi of Yongin City, who visited Heungdeok Uri Nursing Hospital to encourage the first vaccine recipient, said, "This is a thrilling moment taking the first step toward ending COVID-19. We have now moved one step closer to a free daily life," and expressed his support, saying, "Thank you for readily responding to the first vaccination. I hope you recover and are discharged in good health."

Vaccinations will proceed in four phases throughout the second half of this year. The first phase vaccinations that began on this day target hospitalized and residential patients under 65 years of age at nursing hospitals and nursing facilities, as well as workers at such facilities, high-risk medical institution staff, and first responders to COVID-19.

The city has currently received 7,400 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine. The city plans to sequentially vaccinate a total of 5,857 people, including Kwak and staff at 26 nursing hospitals within the city, such as Heungdeok Uri Nursing Hospital and Suji Medical Foundation Suji Nursing Hospital (3,558 people), and workers at 92 elderly care facilities and mental health care/rehabilitation facilities (2,299 people).

This represents 93 percent consent among the total 6,315 vaccination target individuals at nursing hospitals and facilities.

For high-risk medical institution staff and first responders to COVID-19, the city is currently gauging consent for vaccination and plans to begin vaccinations starting from the 9th of next month once this is completed.

Vaccines will be administered in two doses at eight-week intervals, and the city plans to complete first phase vaccinations through ▲in-house medical institution vaccinations ▲visiting vaccinations at medical institutions by commissioned doctors or public health center medical staff ▲vaccinations at public health centers for eligible individuals.

Mayor Baek stated, "We will work closely with relevant agencies and make every effort to ensure safe and rapid vaccine inoculation," and added, "We urge you to participate in vaccine vaccinations to form herd immunity."