Hwaseong City's COVID-19 Vaccination Progressing Smoothly

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-seong] Since Hwaseong City began COVID-19 vaccinations on February 26, the number of vaccinated individuals has reached 14,444 as of the 20th, indicating that vaccinations are proceeding smoothly and seamlessly.

According to the city on the 21st, following the start of AstraZeneca vaccine inoculations on February 26 targeting residents and staff of long-term care hospitals and facilities, the cumulative vaccination rate has reached 86.4% (8,636 people, based on vaccination consent).

Additionally, the Pfizer vaccine vaccination rate for seniors aged 75 and older and users and staff of elderly care facilities, which began on the 8th, has reached 76.3% (5,808 people, based on vaccine supply).

The smooth vaccination process is attributed to close cooperation among the city, local medical institutions, and community volunteer organizations through the formation of 20 institutions and organizations and regional and council consultative bodies in the initial stages of implementation.

The city has implemented on-site vaccinations targeting long-term care facilities and vulnerable facilities to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates, and has provided support for mobile vehicles including regular buses and charter buses to facilitate smooth vaccination for seniors aged 75 and older.

In particular, the city is operating a dedicated COVID-19 vaccination call center to resolve citizens' questions and concerns about vaccination, providing guidance on vaccination schedules, vaccination targets, and reservation methods.

Prior to the start of COVID-19 vaccinations, the city has maintained close cooperation frameworks with local medical institutions such as Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Wonkwang General Hospital, Hwaseong Central General Hospital, and Hwaseong DS Hospital, including securing medical personnel pools and establishing emergency medical systems in preparation for adverse reactions, vaccine storage and management, and appropriate compensation and support for vaccination personnel.

Additionally, the city has established a cooperation framework consisting of the Korean Medical Association, Pharmaceutical Association, Nurses Association, local university nursing departments, fire department, police department, National Health Insurance Service, volunteer centers, and community representatives to discuss cooperation matters for smooth vaccine vaccination promotion.

Through this initiative, Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital provided medical support including consultation on the entire COVID-19 vaccination process for seniors aged 75 and older from the 8th to the 14th and adverse reaction monitoring. Staff from Hwaseong-si eup, myeon, and dong volunteer corps, Red Cross volunteer corps, and male and female volunteer firefighters from Hwaseong Fire Department are conducting volunteer work at the Dongtan Narae Preventive Vaccination Center, with 17 people per day.

Hwaseong Mayor Seo Chul-mo stated, "The reason Hwaseong City can smoothly conduct vaccinations is due to the great efforts of local medical institutions and volunteers working behind the scenes," and added, "Through rapid and smooth vaccination, the city will make its best efforts until herd immunity is formed."

Meanwhile, the city plans to complete the first dose of Pfizer vaccine (based on vaccine supply) for seniors aged 75 and older by the 24th and will prepare for smooth second-dose vaccinations.