Authorities: "AZ Vaccine Being Administered Worldwide Without Issues... Please Participate as Much as Possible"

"Emphasizing 'Trust the Authorities' Announcement on Safety and Efficacy and Participate in Vaccination'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] As COVID-19 vaccinations are set to begin tomorrow, health authorities urged, "We hope people will trust the authorities' announcements regarding the safety and efficacy of the vaccines and participate in the vaccination as much as possible."

On the 25th, Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, stated during the COVID-19 vaccine briefing, "Both the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines have been administered to a significant number of people abroad." He added, "More than 5 million people have received the AstraZeneca vaccine in the UK, and effectiveness data from 490,000 people in Scotland has also been released," explaining, "Vaccinations are progressing without major issues, and specific efficacy figures are being reported by each country."

He also reiterated the stance that the start of vaccinations should not lead to laxity in quarantine measures. Son said, "There is concern that psychological distancing measures may loosen as vaccinations begin," and explained, "Vaccinations will be expanded gradually, and the effects of vaccination will appear with a delay of a couple of months, so the reduction of COVID-19 risk in the community will appear considerably later even after vaccinations start."

He emphasized, "Even after vaccinations begin, please do not relax your vigilance in following quarantine rules and help prevent a resurgence."

Meanwhile, the government postponed the initial public release of the new social distancing reform plan from this week to around next week. Son explained, "The draft of the social distancing reform plan is being prepared with sufficient time because the quarantine situation has not quickly stabilized," adding, "We are delaying it to around next week and gathering opinions to further refine the draft."