Osan City Health Center Provides Free Live Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

Osan City Health Center (Director Wang Young-ae) announced on the 3rd that it will provide free live Japanese encephalitis vaccine immunizations beginning on the 10th.

Previously, the live Japanese encephalitis vaccine was not included in the national immunization program, requiring guardians to bear the full cost of 80,000 won for two vaccinations. However, following amendments to the Ministry of Health and Welfare ordinance, residents can now receive vaccination benefits for a total of 12 types of vaccines (18-26 total vaccinations), including live Japanese encephalitis vaccine, BCG, hepatitis B, and IPV, at health centers and designated medical facilities regardless of their residential address.

Live vaccine is manufactured by slowing the activity of viruses or bacteria that cause disease, allowing the body to produce only antibodies. While the inactivated Japanese encephalitis vaccine requires three basic vaccinations and two booster shots, the live Japanese encephalitis vaccine is completed with two basic vaccinations, offering the advantage of significantly reducing the number of vaccinations needed.

Live Japanese encephalitis vaccine immunizations are available year-round from the 10th onward. The health center provides vaccinations until 3 p.m., and designated medical facilities can be visited after confirming their respective operating hours.

Information regarding the target population for 12 national preventive vaccinations including live Japanese encephalitis vaccine and available designated medical facilities can be found on the Vaccination Helper website (http://nip.cdc.go.kr) or the Osan City Health Center homepage.

For additional information regarding free live Japanese encephalitis vaccine immunizations, contact the Osan City Health Center Immunization Division (031-8036-6047, 6061).