Get Vaccinated and Enjoy a Carefree Summer Vacation

5 Vaccine Vaccination Incentives

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] "I am planning to go on a summer vacation to Guam this August. I haven't been able to travel abroad since last year, so I'm excited."

Kim (33), an office worker living in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, is thrilled at the thought of this summer vacation. Kim barely succeeded in pre-booking the Janssen vaccine allocated for reservists, civil defense personnel, and those related to defense and diplomacy during the reservation held the day before. Kim said, "I will receive the Janssen vaccine on the 10th of this month, and since it only requires one dose to be fully vaccinated, I think I will be able to travel abroad by August, so I am making plans." He added, "Although the government guidelines are not yet clear, I wonder if I will be able to go soon."

According to the quarantine authorities on the 2nd, the pre-booking for 1 million doses of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine provided by the U.S. government was closed early on the first day of reservation, the previous afternoon. The surge in demand for the Janssen vaccine is interpreted as largely driven by young people considering overseas travel ahead of the peak summer vacation season in July and August.

Choi, in his 30s living in Guro-gu, explained, "The AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine requires a 12-week interval between doses, so the second dose can only be administered three months after the first, and with an additional two weeks for antibody formation, it is practically difficult to travel abroad during the summer vacation." He added, "I chose the Janssen vaccine because completing domestic vaccination exempts travelers from self-quarantine upon entering the country."

With the full-scale administration of Janssen and Moderna vaccines this month following AstraZeneca and Pfizer, demand for overseas travel is reviving. The European Union (EU) will introduce digital vaccine passports across its member states starting next month, and the Korean government is conducting practical work for mutual recognition of vaccine certificates with the EU, raising hopeful expectations among young people in their 20s and 30s that travel to Europe will soon be possible.

Expectations for Overseas Travel Rise with Self-Quarantine Exemption and EU Vaccine Passport Introduction

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, since the 5th of last month, domestic guidelines have changed so that fully vaccinated entrants are exempt from the 14-day self-quarantine, except for those entering from countries with prevalent South African or Brazilian variant viruses as of the entry date. However, there are variables for summer overseas travel. The EU may impose quarantine or testing requirements even on travelers from countries classified as 'safe' outside the EU, and the Korean government is still in the discussion phase regarding vaccine passports to allow overseas travel.

A representative from Jeju Air said, "Recently, inquiries about whether overseas travel is possible have increased as more people get vaccinated." They added, "So far, fees have been waived for abnormal flight operations or cancellations due to COVID-19, but for future flights, since government policies and other variables remain uncertain, cautious booking is necessary."

Regarding this, Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' quarantine team, said, "Since vaccine passports are fundamentally based on reciprocity, we are closely monitoring foreign situations and conducting practical discussions on applicable measures in Korea." He added, "We are thoroughly reviewing how vaccination certificates connect with other countries and preparing alternatives to provide comprehensive guidance."

The government expects to achieve its first-half goal of 13 million vaccinations as vaccine administration gains momentum. With positive responses to recent vaccination incentives spreading, it is also possible to reach 14 million first doses by the end of the first half. According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, pre-booking for the AZ vaccine for seniors aged 60?74, patients with chronic severe respiratory diseases, and teachers and caregivers at kindergartens, daycare centers, and elementary schools (grades 1?2) will end on the 3rd.

Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said, "According to monthly public opinion surveys on quarantine policies, the willingness of the public to get vaccinated increased from 61.4% last month to 69.2% this month." He urged, "For your health, your family's safety, and our society's community, please do not hesitate to get vaccinated when it is your turn."

Starting next month, people who have received only one vaccine dose will not be required to wear masks outdoors in parks and hiking trails. Fully vaccinated individuals will be excluded from the count of private gathering limits. If more than 13 million people, or 25% of the total population, complete their first dose by the end of this month as planned, a new 'social distancing' system and a two-step incentive program will be introduced from July.