Multicultural families also receive free ‘HPV vaccine’ to prevent cancer

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has requested that those eligible for national vaccination support for Human Papillomavirus (HPV), such as female adolescents and low-income women, use the summer vacation to get vaccinated for free.

The HPV vaccine is a vaccine that can prevent related cancers, and is effective in preventing more than 90% of cervical cancer and oropharyngeal cancer caused by HPV infection. It is a vaccine recognized as safe and administered in 141 countries around the world, including 37 of the 38 member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

90% of cervical cancer and 70% of anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers are caused by HPV infection.

This year, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency is providing free HPV vaccination to female adolescents born between 2006 and 2012 and low-income women born between 1997 and 2005, and health counseling is also provided to those born between 2011 and 2012.

In particular, female adolescents born in 2006 and low-income women born in 1997, who are the last recipients of support this year, can receive free vaccinations only until December 31, so we strongly recommended them to get vaccinated for free at nearby designated medical institutions and public health centers.

Director Ji Young-mi of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said, “HPV vaccination is the most effective way to prevent cervical cancer, and it is important to complete the vaccination as many times as necessary.”

She emphasized, “As there are many people who regret missing the free vaccination period, those who are eligible for the last support this year must use the summer vacation period to complete the HPV vaccination.”

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COVID-19, new vaccination

While the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients has been increasing again since the end of June, quarantine authorities announced that they will introduce a new COVID-19 ‘JN.1 vaccine’ that is effective against recent prevalent mutations and administer vaccinations starting in October.

Seniors over 65 years of age who are in the high-risk group, people with weakened immune systems, and those hospitalized or residents of facilities vulnerable to infection can be vaccinated for free, while general citizens over 12 years of age can be vaccinated at their own expense.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare believes that although the number of COVID-19 patients is increasing, the existing medical response system will be able to respond as 93.8% of COVID-19 patients visiting the emergency room are moderately ill or less.

An official from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency recommended, “If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should visit a nearby medical institution, receive appropriate prescriptions, and rest sufficiently until your symptoms recover.”

Mary Eve of Papaya Story