Government: "We Will Stick to the Plan of Vaccinating 12 Million People in the First Half... Concerns Over Vaccine Supply Are Overblown"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The government reiterated that the COVID-19 vaccination for 12 million people in the first half of the year will proceed smoothly as originally planned.

On the 20th, Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated at a briefing, "The first phase goal is to complete the first dose vaccination for 12 million people, focusing on the elderly aged 65 and over, vulnerable facilities, and essential social workers by the first half of the year," adding, "We are responding to ensure there are no supply disruptions."

Son also mentioned that it is not advisable to have excessive concerns regarding recent vaccine supply.

He said, "We have secured 18.08 million doses for the first half of the year and are accelerating the pace aiming to vaccinate 3 million people by the end of this month," and added, "There have been excessive reports assuming supply disruptions or that herd immunity will not be achieved."

Son emphasized, "If the vaccination reduces the rate of severe COVID-19 cases and fatality rate, a more flexible response will be possible thereafter," and requested, "Please monitor and confirm whether the first dose vaccination for 12 million people is completed by June."

He continued, "We are making every effort to respond without any disruption to the supply plan for the first dose vaccination in the first half of the year, and we will uphold this commitment."