"Let's Trust Vaccines"… Vaccination Begins at 'High-Risk Medical Institutions' Starting with Seoul National University Hospital

AstraZeneca Vaccine Administered to Over 350,000 People
Kim Yeonsu, Seoul National University Hospital Director, 'First Recipient'... "Trust is Important"

Seoul Asan Hospital Vaccination Starts on the 5th, Severance from the 8th

On the 4th, COVID-19 AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccinations were administered to medical staff in a lecture room inside the Seoul National University Children's Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul. A total of about 50 medical staff received the vaccine that day. Kim Yeon-su, director of Seoul National University Hospital, is receiving the vaccine. 20210304 / Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] "I didn't even realize the needle went in. It is important to eliminate baseless distrust."

At 9 a.m. on the 4th, Kim Yeonsu, director of Seoul National University Hospital, showed a bright expression after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine at the clinical lecture room of the Children's Hospital at Seoul National University Hospital. Starting with Director Kim, COVID-19 vaccination began for about 350,000 workers at hospital-level or higher medical institutions classified as 'high-risk medical institutions.'

Director Kim, who was the first to be vaccinated, said, "I think priority was given to safely protect an institution classified as a tertiary general hospital," and added, "Most at Seoul National University Hospital agreed to be vaccinated." He emphasized, "It is important to have trust in the vaccine," and urged, "Please trust and get vaccinated as all vaccines are evidence-based products."

Lee Kyung-yi, head of the nursing department, who was also vaccinated that day, said, "I hope a safe working environment will be established through vaccination," and added, "I hope everyone gets vaccinated safely without worries."

The vaccination conducted at Seoul National University Hospital that day was the first vaccination among tertiary general hospitals. Initially, the quarantine authorities planned to start vaccination for about 350,000 workers at hospital-level or higher medical institutions on the 8th. However, as vaccine delivery was earlier than expected, the vaccination date was also moved up. The authorities plan to deliver vaccines to each hospital over four days from the 3rd to the 6th and begin vaccinations the following day.

Seoul National University Hospital will continue vaccinations for ten days until the 14th. Out of approximately 8,900 total staff, about 8,300, excluding pregnant women and others, will be vaccinated. The target includes all staff such as doctors, nurses, caregivers, cooks, and administrative personnel.

Among other large hospitals, Seoul Asan Medical Center will start vaccinations from the 5th. In the case of Severance Hospital, vaccine delivery has been completed, but vaccinations will begin as originally scheduled on the 8th.

The AstraZeneca vaccine was used for the vaccinations that day. Even within the same hospital, personnel directly treating COVID-19 patients receive the Pfizer vaccine, while the rest receive the AstraZeneca vaccine. At Seoul National University Hospital, 340 doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be introduced next week, corresponding to the 34 COVID-19 treatment beds currently available. For the Pfizer vaccine, to minimize medical service gaps, if the number of vaccine recipients is fewer than 120, vaccination will be conducted at central or regional vaccination centers; if more, vaccinations will be conducted in-house.