Military to vaccinate about 50,000 this week... Combat rest until the next day (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The vaccination against the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) began on the 28th. The vaccination target is military personnel aged 30 and over, and as of the previous day, the consent rate for vaccination was 83%, amounting to about 105,000 people.

According to the military on this day, starting today, AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine vaccinations will be conducted at 92 locations including military hospitals, corps vaccination centers, and division-level medical units, targeting those aged 30 and over, including soldiers and civilian employees, among 126,000 people who consented to vaccination. The number of vaccinations this week is expected to be around 50,000, and vaccinations for personnel within the Ministry of National Defense premises in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, including the Ministry of National Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are expected to begin next week.

The Ministry of National Defense originally planned to start vaccinations in early May according to the government's early vaccination plan for essential social personnel, but due to the recent consecutive outbreaks of group infections and the increased risk of COVID-19 spread within the military, vaccinations have started first at institutions that have completed preparations.

To minimize operational gaps and maintain military readiness during the vaccination period, the military plans to conduct vaccinations in 2 to 3 rounds per unit or after mission shifts. Additionally, to ensure quick recovery from mild reactions such as muscle pain, fever, and chills, combat leave will be granted until the day after vaccination regardless of symptom presence, and if individuals wish, petition leave will also be actively provided.

Meanwhile, for about 455,000 soldiers under 30 years old who are excluded from AstraZeneca vaccine vaccination, the option of receiving the Pfizer vaccine is under consideration, but no specific plan has been established yet. The specific schedule, including vaccine type and vaccination timing for these individuals, is expected to be decided in coordination at the government-wide level and depending on future vaccine supply conditions.