Jung Sye-kyun: "KDCA, Please Reconsider Opinions on 'AZ Vaccine for Elderly'"

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on the response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) held at the Government Seoul Office on the morning of the 3rd. 2021.3.3
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 3rd, "Recently, new research results on the effectiveness of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the elderly have been released, and several countries are reconsidering the age restrictions for vaccination," adding, "The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency should gather expert opinions once again through the Vaccination Expert Committee regarding this matter."

During the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office that morning, Prime Minister Chung said, "Regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine, Germany is considering expanding the vaccination target to those aged 65 and older, and France has allowed vaccination up to age 74." He also added, "In Scotland, where Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines were administered to the elderly aged 65 and above, the investigation results showed about 80% effectiveness in preventing hospitalization."

Previously, South Korea had postponed the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine to the elderly aged 65 and above, who are most vulnerable to COVID-19. Following Prime Minister Chung's request on this day, there is a possibility that the vaccination target for the AstraZeneca vaccine will be expanded to those aged 65 and older in the future.

As COVID-19 vaccinations proceed sequentially, allegations of 'queue-jumping vaccinations' have been raised in some quarters. Prime Minister Chung emphasized, "If true, this is truly a deplorable matter," and stressed, "The order of vaccination is a social agreement determined based on science and facts through expert discussions." He further stated, "The government cannot overlook such acts that betray social trust and cause conflict," and instructed, "The quarantine authorities should thoroughly clarify the facts and consider all possible sanctions to take strict measures."