Government Projects 14 Million People to Receive First COVID-19 Vaccine Dose in First Half of the Year

On the 7th, the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for the general elderly population aged 60 to 64 living in the community and military personnel under 30 years old began. Citizens are receiving vaccines at the vaccination center set up at Bukahyeon Culture and Sports Center in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The government expects to complete the first dose of COVID-19 vaccinations for up to 14 million people by the end of this month. It aims to not only achieve the initially set goal of vaccinating 13 million people in the first half of the year ahead of schedule but also to exceed it.

On the 7th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced that it reported the "COVID-19 Vaccination Progress and Plan" during the 3rd "Special COVID-19 Response and Prevention Inspection Meeting" chaired by President Moon Jae-in.

Following the upward revision of the first-half vaccination target from 12 million to 13 million at last month's 2nd Special COVID-19 Response and Prevention Inspection Meeting, the KDCA now forecasts that the 13 million target will be achieved early and that up to 14 million people could complete their first dose.

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the KDCA, explained, "The original vaccination plan for the first half was 12 million people. Through last month's meeting, it was revised upward to 13 million, and with the introduction of 1 million doses of the Janssen vaccine, we believe that about 14 million people can complete their first dose in the first half."

Commissioner Jung added regarding the herd immunity timeline, "We expect to achieve the vaccination target early in the third quarter." The government plans to complete the first dose for 13 million people in the first half, followed by 36 million people by September, aiming to establish herd immunity by November.

The KDCA detailed, "We will steadily proceed with vaccinations for AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine pre-registrants aged 60-74 this month, those aged 75 and older, and military personnel under 30 receiving the Pfizer vaccine, aiming to achieve the first-half vaccination target of 13 million people and vaccinate over 25% of the entire population ahead of schedule."

As of midnight on the day, a total of 7,598,787 people in South Korea have received their first vaccine dose. The vaccination rate relative to the population stands at approximately 14.8%.

On the 7th, the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for the general elderly population aged 60 to 64 living in the community and military personnel under 30 years old began. Citizens are waiting in the monitoring area after receiving the vaccine at the vaccination center set up at Bukahyeon Culture and Sports Center in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Honam munonam@

Starting from this day, AZ vaccine inoculations for seniors aged 60-64 began at nationwide designated medical institutions, and Pfizer vaccinations for 414,000 military personnel under 30 started at military medical facilities and others.

Additionally, pre-registration for Pfizer vaccinations began for about 260,000 people under 30 among the second quarter AZ vaccine recipients scheduled to be vaccinated from the 15th. However, this pre-registration is limited to 200,000 people. KDCA Commissioner Jung Eun-kyung explained, "Considering the vaccination rate, we plan to prioritize reservations for about 200,000 people," adding, "For those who have difficulty making reservations now, vaccinations will continue in early next month."

Moreover, vaccinations for pre-registrants of 1.01 million doses of the Janssen vaccine donated by the U.S. government will begin on the 10th. Some doses will be administered to those urgently traveling overseas for essential official or economic activities. Janssen vaccines will also be used for naval ship-based mobile vaccinations targeting residents of island areas accessible only by ship, where designated medical institutions and public health centers are unavailable. Moderna vaccines, totaling 55,000 doses, will be administered from mid-month to healthcare workers under 30 at hospital-level or higher medical institutions.

For the third quarter, a vaccination plan has been established targeting 36 million people, which is 70% of the entire population, for the first dose. The KDCA will start first-dose vaccinations next month for kindergarten, daycare, elementary, middle, and high school staff, high school seniors preparing for college entrance exams, and people in their 50s. Educational personnel totaling 1.01 million will be vaccinated during the summer months of July and August, and college entrance exam candidates will be vaccinated in July.

More detailed third-quarter vaccination plans will be announced around mid-month after review by the Vaccination Expert Committee.

Commissioner Jung Eun-kyung stated, "The government will focus on vaccinating over 13 million high-risk elderly people in June and will make every effort to swiftly and safely vaccinate people in their 50s and younger starting in July," adding, "We also ask the public to actively participate in vaccination when their turn comes, ensuring they are in good health on the day of vaccination."