Medical Association's Strike Warning... Korean Medicine Doctors Declare Vaccination Participation

"No Strengthening of Entrenched Interests at the Expense of Public Health"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] As COVID-19 vaccination approaches, the Korean Medicine community has declared its intention to participate in the vaccination effort. This move comes as the Korean Medical Association (KMA) has announced a general strike in protest against the amendment to the Medical Service Act, which cancels doctors' licenses if they receive a prison sentence or higher. The Korean Medicine community aims to fill the vaccination gap. The government maintains its position that, under current law, vaccination cannot be exceptionally allowed to certain professions other than doctors.

The Korean Medicine Association (KMAssoc) held an emergency press conference on the morning of the 24th to declare participation in COVID-19 vaccination. Choi Hyuk-yong, president of the KMAssoc, stated, "In response to the KMA's indication of refusal to vaccinate, the Korean Medicine community wishes to express its intention to actively participate in vaccination to protect public health," adding, "The core issue is not that Korean Medicine doctors must perform vaccinations, but that when the KMA uses its exclusive authority to strengthen vested interests at the expense of public health, there needs to be a counterbalancing power."

Following the KMA's announcement of a general strike and refusal to vaccinate on the 20th, voices have grown louder advocating for allowing dentists, nurses, and others to also administer vaccinations. In particular, Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "The KMA crossing the line by threatening the public to gain unfair benefits is unacceptable," and argued, "In urgent situations where maintaining the medical system is difficult, certain qualified personnel such as nurses should be allowed to perform minor medical acts."

The Korean Medicine Association's claim aligns with Governor Lee's perspective. President Choi explained, "In Europe, pharmacists, and in the United States, nurses also administer vaccinations," adding, "Dentists, Korean Medicine doctors, and nurses should be weapons that can be deployed in emergencies if necessary."

However, the government holds the position that under the Medical Service Act, nurses are required to assist doctors under their supervision, so entrusting them entirely with vaccination would violate the law. The Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act also excludes Korean Medicine doctors and dentists from the list of delegated vaccination personnel. Recently, the Suwon District Court ruled that influenza vaccination is not included in the medical acts permitted under a dentist's license. Lee Chang-jun, Director of Health and Medical Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, "Since the KMA is not currently in an emergency situation refusing vaccination, we believe there will be no issues with COVID-19 vaccination," and added, "Korean Medicine doctors' vaccination should be viewed similarly to the recent court ruling on dentists administering influenza vaccines."

With the Medical Service Act amendment scheduled for discussion at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 25th, concerns are growing that if the KMA's general strike materializes, it could disrupt the government's quarantine schedule. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), as of midnight on that day, the number of new COVID-19 cases rose to 440, returning to the 400s after three days.