Over 1.5 Million Receive First Vaccine Dose... 2.91% of Total Population Vaccinated

On the morning of the 17th, elderly individuals are entering the Pfizer vaccination room at the COVID-19 vaccination center set up in Sadang Sports Complex, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, following staff guidance. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] The number of people who have completed the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine has surpassed 1.5 million.

The COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team announced that as of midnight on the 18th, 29,165 people received their first dose on the 17th alone, bringing the total number of people who have completed the first dose to 1,512,503. The cumulative number of people who have completed the second dose is 60,585.

Since the start of vaccinations on February 26, 2.91% of the entire population (based on the resident registration population as of January this year) have completed the first dose.

Among them, the first dose vaccination rate for seniors aged 75 and older, who began receiving vaccinations at vaccination centers on the 1st, is 10.7%, and the vaccination rate for elderly facility users, residents, and workers is 48.4%.

The vaccination rate for patients and workers aged 65 and older in long-term care hospitals, who began vaccinations on March 23, is 62.6%, and the vaccination rate for residents and workers aged 65 and older in long-term care facilities is 61.8%.

Meanwhile, the number of reported cases suspected of adverse reactions after COVID-19 vaccination has increased by 78, totaling 12,197 cases.

There was 1 suspected case of anaphylaxis and 1 suspected severe case such as convulsions, while the remaining 76 cases were mild symptoms commonly occurring after vaccination, such as muscle pain, headache, fever, chills, and nausea.

Among all suspected adverse reaction reports, those related to the AstraZeneca vaccine accounted for 91.4% of the total reports, while reports related to the Pfizer vaccine accounted for 8.6%. The adverse reaction reporting rate relative to the number of vaccinated individuals is 1.11% for the AstraZeneca vaccine and 0.18% for the Pfizer vaccine.