S. Korea to vaccinate teachers, other high-risk people against H1N1 this week

SEOUL, Feb. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's health authorities said Monday that they
will start vaccinating teachers, welfare organization workers, transport
employees and others against the H1N1 virus this week as part of efforts to stem
further spread of the contagious disease.
The vaccination on those people that also include postal workers and senior
citizens aged between 50 and 64 will start on Wednesday until Feb. 18 at
state-run clinics and private medical institutes nationwide, according to the
Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs.
Around 8.6 million people are subject to the vaccination. The general public will
also be able to receive flu shots from Feb. 19 to March 6, the ministry added.
The latest move is part of the government's continuing efforts to stem the spread
of the H1N1 virus which has been subsiding in recent months.
The ministry said earlier that it will push to vaccinate nearly 40 percent of the
country's population against H1N1 by the end of February. Vaccinations began in
late October, with priority given to those considered at risk, such as medical
personnel and school children.
"The spread of the flu has been slowing down but we cannot rule out a small-scale
epidemic as people will gather for the upcoming Lunar New Year's holiday and
students will return to school for a new semester in early March," the ministry
said, calling for early vaccination of those people at risk.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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