Jeong Eun-kyung "One Year of COVID-19, Biggest Challenge is Rapid and Safe Vaccination... System Launch in February" (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] As the one-year mark of the domestic outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) approaches, Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, identified the "rapid and safe implementation of COVID-19 vaccination" as this year's biggest quarantine task.

At a regular briefing on the 18th, Jung Eun-kyung stated, "I believe the biggest challenge this year is how safely and quickly we can carry out COVID-19 vaccinations."

She emphasized, "This year, the biggest task is to strengthen quarantine responses such as diagnostic testing, epidemiological investigations, isolation, and treatment, as well as social distancing measures and medical response infrastructure to reduce mortality, while preparing a long-term strategy to respond with vaccines and treatments in the future."

Reservations through Vaccination Target System... Phased Opening from February

The quarantine authorities plan to sequentially open the management system for COVID-19 vaccination starting next month to accept advance reservations. They are currently working on system improvements to provide accurate vaccination information and public services related to vaccination, with plans to open it in phases from February. Preparations are underway to allow vaccination targets to make reservations through the system and receive services such as guidance on vaccination schedules and locations, as well as issuance of vaccination certificates.

Additionally, ahead of COVID-19 vaccinations, the 'Vaccination Response Council' was held for the first time on the 12th to finalize and promote support roles by each ministry and detailed implementation tasks.

Jung said, "The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has formed and is operating a dedicated vaccine review team, and regarding vaccine import and overseas distribution, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has formed an air transport support task force." She added, "Regarding domestic vaccine storage and distribution, the Ministry of National Defense has formed a transport support headquarters to oversee and control vaccine distribution."

She explained, "Regarding local governments' vaccination implementation, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety has already formed and is operating a COVID-19 vaccination support group. They are supporting local governments to promptly prepare vaccination centers and designate entrusted medical institutions. We will finalize the vaccination implementation plan by the end of January and inform you accordingly."

Jung Eun-kyung: "The Most Difficult Point Is Finding a Balance Between Quarantine and Daily Life"

Marking one year since the domestic COVID-19 outbreak, Jung Eun-kyung also shared the concerns and difficulties faced by the quarantine authorities. When asked what was the most challenging aspect from the quarantine authorities' perspective, she said, "There are so many difficulties that it's not easy to answer all of them," and added, "The most difficult thing is finding a balance between quarantine and daily life."

In particular, Jung added, "Regarding the level of social distancing, we have to consider both economic and quarantine effects, and since these were quarantine measures we had never experienced before, balancing these aspects and taking appropriate measures remains a difficult task."