[Desk Column] When Will the President Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine?

The Black Death that ravaged Europe in 1348 is one of the deadliest pandemics in human history, killing 25 million people in Europe alone within four years. The image of doctors wearing beak-shaped masks at the time is also well-known. These doctors filled the beak-shaped masks with various medicinal herbs to prevent infection and used staffs to avoid direct contact with patients. This is somewhat similar to how medical personnel today arm themselves with protective suits to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but it is questionable how much actual infection was avoided back then.

Jews, who were notably less affected by the Black Death, faced persecution due to suspicions that they had deliberately spread the plague. The reason Jews were more resistant to the disease was due to Jewish law, which emphasized frequent hand washing. Among Christians, flagellant groups emerged. Believing the plague was a punishment from God, they tried to rid themselves of the disease by whipping each other.

Now, more than 670 years later, although COVID-19 has swept across the world, such events do not occur. This is because humanity now has science as a weapon to combat infectious diseases, unlike in the past. Vaccines have been developed to prevent COVID-19 infection, and efforts are accelerating to develop treatments that can cure the virus. Preventive measures such as wearing masks, washing hands thoroughly, and social distancing are also quite effective.

In particular, COVID-19 vaccines are considered game changers in the war against this pandemic. Over 60 countries, including the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have begun vaccinating their populations. Israel, which has the highest vaccination rate, had vaccinated 29.8% of its 8.6 million population as of the 20th. Research from Israel also showed that 98% of those who received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine developed antibodies. Hope that vaccines can stop COVID-19 is becoming increasingly clear.

Leaders of these countries were among the first to receive vaccinations. Ten leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, publicly received vaccines. There are two main reasons why national leaders chose to be vaccinated publicly. First, as heads of state responsible for national security, they should not hesitate to receive scientifically verified vaccines. Second, it is necessary to alleviate public anxiety about vaccines. There can be no argument against leaders being vaccinated first.

At a New Year's press conference on the 18th, President Moon Jae-in was asked if he planned to be vaccinated first. He replied, "We will prioritize vaccinations first, and then vaccinate the general public later, which I think will be sufficient," but also said, "If anxiety about the vaccine becomes very high and avoidance occurs, and if leading by example is necessary, I will not avoid being the first to be vaccinated." This response seems to emphasize that frontline medical workers and the elderly are the priority vaccination groups.

In South Korea, it is expected that 50,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be administered to medical staff at infectious disease-dedicated hospitals early next month. From the end of February, the AstraZeneca vaccine will be given to workers at nursing hospitals and the elderly. There will undoubtedly be controversies over who gets vaccinated first and which vaccine to receive. The way to reduce this is to establish scientific and common-sense criteria that block partisan interests or favoritism, and to implement these criteria accordingly. Political influence or the power of those in authority must not interfere. Now, what is scientific is fair.