Authorities: "South Korea Rises to 25th in Global Vaccination Scale... A Step Forward in 'Vaccine Sovereignty'" (Update)

"Vaccine Sovereignty, Some Already Secured"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] South Korea's COVID-19 vaccination scale has risen to 25th in the world. Additionally, health authorities emphasized that the country is steadily approaching 'vaccine sovereignty,' the capability to domestically develop and produce COVID-19 vaccines and administer them in a timely manner.

On the 11th, Kwon Jun-wook, the 2nd Deputy Head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), stated at the regular COVID-19 briefing, "South Korea started vaccinations outside the top 100 globally at the end of February, the early phase of vaccination, but recent foreign media reports show that we have entered the top 25."

As of that day, the number of people who received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in South Korea is 10,565,404, accounting for 20.6% of the total population. Those who have completed the second dose exceed 2.63 million, accounting for 5.1%.

Deputy Head Kwon also conveyed an assessment that South Korea is approaching vaccine sovereignty. He explained, "Vaccine sovereignty means securing three capabilities: manufacturing technology, verifying vaccine efficacy through clinical trials, and mass production and timely vaccination by securing raw materials," adding, "Among these, some have already been secured, some are in progress, and some efforts are ongoing to secure them."

He continued, "Vaccine sovereignty, along with social distancing supported by the public and positive responses to vaccination, is the path to a safe tomorrow after COVID-19 and to future healthcare," emphasizing, "The authorities will also do their best in these areas."