'Amazing Vaccination Rate After "Remaining Vaccine Reservations"... Japan Left "Pacing Back and Forth"'

Amid an increase in people hoping to receive leftover COVID-19 vaccines, a mobile phone screen showing no leftover vaccines available at a medical institution near Gwanghwamun, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 4th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Since the introduction of the leftover vaccine reservation system, people have been able to check the real-time availability of leftover COVID-19 vaccines and utilize them quickly, resulting in a decrease in vaccine wastage rates and an increase in vaccination rates. Following last year's 'Mask App' and 'QR Code Electronic Entry Log (QR Check-in)', Korea's IT industry has once again been recognized for contributing to quarantine efforts, drawing attention from overseas as well.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 4th, the number of people vaccinated using the leftover vaccine reservation service, which has been piloted for two weeks since the 27th of last month, increased by 56,161 from the previous day as of midnight, reaching a total of 387,351. Among them, 16,139 people reserved and received vaccines using Kakao and Naver.

On the same day, Korea's global vaccination ranking also surged. According to statistics from The Economist in the UK, Korea's ranking for first-dose adult population was outside the top 100 as of mid-last month but jumped to 89th. Notably, the 5th marked the 100th day since COVID-19 vaccinations began domestically, with the first-dose vaccination rate soaring to 13.8%. This figure is nearly three times higher than neighboring Japan's rate in the 5% range, which started vaccinations earlier than Korea.

As vaccination activity picked up following the introduction of the leftover vaccine reservation system, Japan expressed envy of Korea's advanced IT infrastructure. Japanese media highlighted Korea's leftover vaccine reservation system, stating, "Korea is dynamically utilizing IT to solve social problems." In contrast, Japan is known to face difficulties in applying real-time vaccine reservations due to a lack of IT infrastructure.

Previously, Japan announced plans to monitor COVID-19 patient occurrences in real-time through the 'HER-SYS' system last year, but it was reportedly neglected by medical staff. Local governments and public health center employees are still said to manage patient information by exchanging faxes.

Meanwhile, the government announced on the 6th plans to provide COVID-19 vaccination proof methods through mobile phone applications and stickers. Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum stated at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office, "The government will provide various proof methods for those who have completed vaccination."

Accordingly, these certification methods are expected to be utilized in the vaccination incentive process starting in July. Prime Minister Kim emphasized, "Badges and stickers will make our society safer and allow our citizens to engage more naturally. Please cooperate even if it is inconvenient."