○ Gyeonggi Province sets priority vaccination targets to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in response to recent surge in case numbers
– Autonomous local government vaccination program started ahead of schedule
– Priority vaccination for workers in four designated sectors, including private academy and school workers, transportation workers such as bus and taxi drivers, delivery personnel (including mail carriers), and sanitation workers / First dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to be administered from July 13 to 24 (2-week period)

On July 7, Gyeonggi Province announced that it will administer 140,000 sets of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (for COVID-19) that it received from the central government to workers in four designated sectors from July 13 to 24. The sectors that will be given priority for vaccine administration include private academy and school workers, transportation workers such as bus and taxi drivers, delivery personnel (including mail carriers), and sanitation workers.

The decision came after the recent surge in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases. The Gyeonggi Provincial Government explained that it is rolling out the autonomous local government vaccination program slightly earlier than the end of this month as originally scheduled. The autonomous local government vaccination program enables local governments to set their own vaccination priorities according to their particular circumstances.

The four priority sectors that Gyeonggi Province has designated pertain to occupation types that involve physical contact with a large number of people, entail greater risk of virus transmission, and can be easily identified, thereby allowing for on-site registration and immediate administration of the vaccine. The Gyeonggi Provincial Government estimates that there are approximately 170,000 eligible workers in its 31 cities and counties.

Those eligible will receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Gyeonggi Province received 140,000 sets (280,000 doses) of the vaccine, which it will administer from July 13 to 24 at 48 local vaccination centers in the province.

If more than 140,000 people wish to be vaccinated during this round, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government will place those who are unable to be vaccinated at the top of a list for the next round of the autonomous local vaccination program scheduled for late July.

Ryu Yeong-cheol, Director General of the Gyeonggi Province Health Bureau, said, “We are starting the autonomous vaccination program earlier than originally scheduled since the quarantine situation in the capital region is serious. If you are included in one of the priority vaccination groups, such as private academy workers, please participate in the vaccination program. Gyeonggi Province will prepare thoroughly so as to prevent any inconvenience.”