[Q&A] "Vaccine Type Selection Not Possible... COVID-19 Vaccination for Adults Aged 19-64 Starting in Q3"

COVID-19 Vaccination to Begin Next Month
Initial Shots for Medical Staff

No Choice of Vaccine Type... Allocation Based on Supply Situation
Goal to Achieve 70% Vaccination Rate for Herd Immunity Within This Year

President Moon Jae-in is inspecting the COVID-19 vaccines produced at the SK Bioscience factory in Andong-si, Gyeongbuk, on the morning of the 20th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Starting next month, COVID-19 vaccination will begin in South Korea as well. The government aims to achieve a 70% vaccination rate within this year to establish herd immunity. Currently, the government has secured vaccines for 56 million people. mRNA vaccines such as Pfizer and Moderna, which require a cold chain (ultra-low temperature distribution), will be administered at about 250 vaccination centers nationwide, while viral vector vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Janssen will be given through approximately 10,000 designated medical institutions and home visits. We have addressed related questions such as when the actual vaccination will start and who the vaccination targets are.

- Who should receive the COVID-19 vaccination?

▲ The entire population is eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. However, pregnant women and children and adolescents under 18 years old, who were not included in clinical trials during vaccine development, are excluded from the vaccination target. This may change depending on additional clinical results.

- Is the COVID-19 vaccination free of charge?

▲ To reduce the economic burden on citizens regarding vaccination costs and to increase vaccination rates and establish herd immunity, the vaccination will be fully supported free of charge.

- What is the COVID-19 vaccination plan?

▲ Vaccinations will begin sequentially from next month when vaccines are supplied domestically. The first dose for the general public will be completed by the third quarter, aiming to achieve herd immunity around November. To allow most citizens to get vaccinated nearby, vaccinations will be available at 250 vaccination centers nationwide (for mRNA vaccines) and about 10,000 designated private medical institutions (for viral vector vaccines). For elderly residents in group living facilities such as nursing homes, a "visiting vaccination service" will be provided.

Ms. Margaret Keenan, 90 years old, is receiving the COVID-19 vaccine jointly developed by the American pharmaceutical company Pfizer and the German company BioNTech at Coventry University Hospital in the United Kingdom.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

- Who will be the first to receive the vaccine?

▲ The first vaccination targets for the vaccines introduced next month are healthcare workers currently treating COVID-19 patients. This is to maintain the healthcare system for treating COVID-19 patients, and healthcare workers were prioritized for vaccination in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom as well.

- When can the general public receive the vaccine?

▲ General adults aged 19 to 64 can receive COVID-19 vaccination from the third quarter through advance reservations. After the announcement of target groups by period, reservations will be possible, and vaccination dates can be designated through advance reservations.

- Is it safe for people with chronic or underlying diseases, including hypertension and diabetes, to get vaccinated? Should asymptomatic infected individuals or those previously infected also get vaccinated?

▲ People with chronic diseases are included in the priority vaccination group and are recommended to get vaccinated if possible. Vaccination can be received regardless of COVID-19 infection status, including asymptomatic infections.

- I need to get vaccinated urgently for official duties or important economic activities requiring overseas travel. What is the procedure?

▲ For cases where the destination country requires a vaccination certificate, a strict review by relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Industry, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be conducted, followed by approval from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The vaccination procedure is planned to be established starting from the second quarter.

- Does the government decide the type, place, and timing of the vaccine for each individual? Is there no choice regarding the vaccine?

▲ As vaccines arrive sequentially, the target groups for each vaccine are determined, and individuals in each group receive the corresponding vaccine. Vaccination targets are selected through review by the Vaccination Review Committee, considering supply volume and characteristics by vaccine/platform, safety and efficacy, and reported side effects. Target groups by vaccination timing will be notified of the vaccination location and schedule via text message or the National Secretary Service. Currently, countries such as the United States and Europe, which have started vaccination, do not recognize individual vaccine choice.

- If I miss my vaccination timing, will my turn be delayed?

▲ If you have acute symptoms such as a fever above 37.5°C on the day of vaccination after reservation, you can adjust your reservation to get vaccinated after recovery. However, if you refuse vaccination and do not make a reservation within the vaccination period, you will be placed in a lower priority group.

U.S. President Joe Biden publicly received the second dose of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine at a hospital in Delaware on the 11th (local time).
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

- How long does it take to acquire immunity after vaccination?

▲ Generally, it takes about two weeks after vaccination for protective antibodies to form. According to current data, antibody levels are reported to be highest 7 to 14 days after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. It is very important to complete the second dose within the recommended period for each vaccine to achieve maximum effectiveness.

- Can I still get COVID-19 after vaccination? Do I need to get vaccinated every year?

▲ Vaccination does not provide 100% immunity. Infection can occur if immunity is not formed, before immunity is formed, or if the effectiveness of formed immunity decreases over time. Even after vaccination, it is necessary to comply with quarantine rules such as wearing masks and social distancing. Also, the duration of immunity and long-term immunogenicity have not yet been sufficiently studied or confirmed.

- There have been reports of deaths related to vaccines overseas. Is vaccination safe?

▲ All vaccines biologically carry the possibility of adverse reactions after vaccination, and these reactions can vary depending on individual constitution. However, the reported rate of adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccination is low, and the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks of not getting vaccinated, so vaccination is strongly recommended. Regarding deaths among elderly people with underlying conditions after Pfizer vaccination reported in Norway, it was announced that there is no direct link to the vaccine, and there is no evidence that the Pfizer vaccine is dangerous for the elderly.

- How long should adverse reactions be monitored after vaccination?

▲ After vaccination, individuals should remain at the vaccination site for 15 to 30 minutes to monitor for immediate adverse reactions. If unusual physical symptoms appear after returning home, it is recommended to seek medical attention. All vaccines can cause local reactions at the injection site and severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis. The adverse reaction monitoring system will be strengthened to actively monitor adverse reactions after vaccination.

- What should I do if adverse reactions occur after vaccination?

▲ If adverse reactions are suspected, you can check symptoms and receive guidance on how to respond through the Vaccination Helper website. However, if high fever or severe allergic symptoms occur, you should immediately visit the vaccination site or the nearest medical institution for treatment. The "National Compensation Program for Vaccine Injury" operates to compensate for unavoidable adverse reactions, covering medical expenses, nursing costs, disability lump-sum compensation, death lump-sum compensation, and funeral expenses.

- Why is the vaccination target set at 70% instead of 100%?

▲ COVID-19 vaccination is a voluntary choice. However, to secure herd immunity that indirectly protects those without immunity by preventing large-scale transmission through a substantial portion of the population gaining immunity, the goal is to achieve a 70% vaccination rate through maximum encouragement.

- How will the vaccines arriving in early February be authorized?

▲ Vaccines introduced early through the COVAX Facility, a joint vaccine procurement and distribution project, can be imported domestically via special import procedures referencing the World Health Organization (WHO) emergency use authorization status before individual vaccine approval. During the special approval process, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency will hold expert advisory meetings to receive advice on safety and efficacy.

- Are there additional vaccines to be introduced beyond those already contracted?

▲ Due to uncertainties in vaccine manufacturing and production, duration of immunity, and adverse reactions by vaccine, additional quantities are continuously being reviewed. Currently, discussions are underway with SK Bioscience, which is pursuing a vaccine technology transfer contract with Novavax in the United States, for purchasing 20 million doses of the Novavax vaccine. The Novavax vaccine uses a recombinant protein subunit platform, which has advantages in securing diverse platforms, ease of storage and distribution, and a longer shelf life of 1 to 3 years compared to other vaccines, making it usable for vaccinations next year.

- Is the vaccine introduction and vaccination delayed compared to other countries?

▲ The goal of vaccination is to establish herd immunity, so the "end" of vaccination is more important than the "start." The government has consistently pursued a "two-track" strategy to support domestic vaccines until the end and to promptly introduce successful overseas vaccines. Contracts for sufficient vaccines for 56 million people have already been signed, and vaccination is scheduled to begin in February while closely monitoring vaccination progress in other countries. If vaccinations proceed sequentially, the timing of herd immunity formation will not lag behind other countries.