First Dose Vaccination Rate Exceeds 10% After 91 Days... Total 5,204,000 People Vaccinated (Comprehensive)

1.17 Million Vaccinated Over Two Days... Severe Case Rate Decreases

On the 28th, elderly individuals who completed their COVID-19 vaccinations at the vaccination center in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, were waiting in the observation area. According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team on the same day, the number of new first-dose vaccinations the previous day reached 640,000, combining 560,000 recipients of the AZ vaccine and 80,000 recipients of the Pfizer vaccine. This is the largest daily vaccination scale ever recorded. The nationwide first-dose vaccination rate, which had maintained the 7% range since the 7th, is expected to exceed 8% and enter the 9% range within 21 days. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The first-dose COVID-19 vaccination rate in South Korea has surpassed 10%. It has been 91 days since vaccinations began on February 26.

The COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team announced on the 28th at 5 p.m. that 5,204,000 people, exceeding 10% of the total population (51,349,116 as of December last year), have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

As of 5 p.m. on the same day, a total of 573,000 vaccinations were administered, including 513,000 first doses and 59,000 second doses.

The vaccination rate significantly increased as about 1.17 million people were vaccinated over two days, including 657,192 elderly aged 65-74 who received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine the day before and 513,000 on the day.

The Promotion Team plans to make every effort to achieve the target of vaccinating 13 million people by the end of June. Additionally, vaccine doses pledged by the United States during the Korea-US summit will be introduced domestically soon after bilateral consultations are completed, and accordingly, the vaccination target for June is expected to be expanded beyond the original plan.

The Promotion Team stated, "Achieving 10% vaccination coverage nationwide means that the protective shield for our people against COVID-19 has become stronger," adding, "Especially among the elderly, the severe case rate continues to decline, proving this effect."

The severe case rate for those aged 75 and older has gradually decreased from 17.79% in week 18, 12.95% in week 19, 12.25% in week 20, to 9.66% in week 21.

In overseas cases, countries such as Israel, the United Kingdom, and the United States, where the vaccination rate for at least one dose is about 50% or higher, continue to see a clear decline in confirmed cases.

On the 28th, elderly individuals who completed their COVID-19 vaccinations were waiting in the observation area at the vaccination center in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team on the same day, the number of new first-dose vaccinations the previous day reached 640,000, combining 560,000 recipients of the AZ vaccine and 80,000 recipients of the Pfizer vaccine. This is the largest daily vaccination scale ever recorded. The nationwide first-dose vaccination rate, which had maintained the 7% range since the 7th, is expected to exceed 8% and enter the 9% range after 21 days. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Promotion Team explained that an analysis of vaccination effectiveness for those aged 60 and above showed an infection prevention effect of 89.5% two weeks after the first dose, and there have been no deaths reported among those who tested positive after vaccination so far.

They also explained that the secondary transmission prevention effect within families was analyzed to be about 45.2%, confirming that the elderly aged 60 and above should be prioritized for vaccination.

Considering the vaccination effectiveness, the government decided to ease restrictions on family gatherings and the operation of elderly welfare facilities for those who have received at least the first dose starting next month on the 1st.

People who have completed their first dose will be excluded from the calculation of the limit on the number of people allowed at family gatherings (currently 8 people). For example, if two grandparents have been vaccinated, family gatherings such as birthday parties can include up to 10 people, including the grandparents, their daughter, son, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren, making family gatherings possible during the Chuseok holiday in September.

Programs involving first-dose recipients and fully vaccinated individuals will be encouraged at elderly welfare facilities such as welfare centers and senior citizen centers, and discounts or exemptions on entrance and usage fees will be provided at major public facilities such as national parks, along with priority usage rights.

Face-to-face visits will be allowed at nursing hospitals and care facilities if either the visitor or the resident has completed vaccination.

The Promotion Team urged, "Pre-registration for vaccination for seniors aged 60 and above is scheduled to continue until the 3rd of next month," adding, "Please make your reservation promptly during the remaining period to receive vaccination comfortably at a nearby medical institution at your preferred time."