Companies Hiring Nurses... Preparing for 'Self-Administration' of COVID-19 Vaccines

Samsung Electronics Subsidiary Clinic Nurse Recruitment
Hyundai Motor Group Vaccination Plan Established

KCDC "Consulting with Relevant Ministries on 'Workplace Self-Vaccination'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyewon Kim and Jihee Kim] As the government plans to promote COVID-19 vaccination within corporate workplaces starting late next month, some large companies such as Samsung have begun reorganizing their infrastructure. They have started preparations to enable large-scale vaccinations at workplaces immediately once vaccines are secured. However, it remains uncertain whether workplace vaccinations will be prioritized due to controversies over preferential treatment for large corporations.

According to industry sources on the 16th, Gangbuk Samsung Hospital has been hiring double-digit part-time nurses since the 11th to handle vaccination duties at affiliated clinics within Samsung Electronics’ workplaces in Suwon, Giheung, Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek, Cheonan, and Onyang. Other affiliates like Samsung SDI and Samsung Electro-Mechanics have also posted job openings for contract or part-time nurses. LG Display has been recruiting contract nursing staff to work at its workplaces in Seoul, Paju, and Gumi since the 14th.

The move by some large companies with medical facilities on-site to increase medical staff is interpreted as a response to the government’s review of workplace vaccination plans earlier this month. The Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) sent official letters to companies through regional employment and labor offices at the beginning of this month, promoting workplace vaccinations via affiliated clinics. A representative from a large company said, "We were informed by the Ministry of Employment and Labor two weeks ago about the vaccine costs (35,000 KRW per person) and expenses related to cold storage facilities for vaccines when conducting self-vaccination for employees at workplace medical facilities."

Hyundai Motor Group has internally prepared a plan for information dissemination and vaccination demand surveys through labor-management consultations. The plan is to conduct the first round of vaccinations from late July to early August at three domestic Hyundai factories and research centers, three domestic Kia factories, and Hyundai Steel’s Incheon and Pohang plants.

The workplace vaccination under government discussion targets workers aged 18 to 59. The vaccination is expected to begin around late July, with Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine anticipated to be introduced. A KDCA official stated, "We are not considering priority vaccination for workers in essential industries," and added, "We are currently consulting with related ministries regarding workplace vaccinations."

The government expects cost-saving effects through workplace vaccinations. When companies participate in self-vaccination, they must independently operate additional medical personnel at affiliated clinics and expand vaccination capacity. Cold chain infrastructure such as refrigerators for vaccine storage and management is also required. Most of the costs necessary for vaccination implementation must be borne by the companies themselves. From the companies’ perspective, there is an advantage in alleviating concerns about shutdowns caused by infections among some workers and achieving rapid herd immunity.

The problem lies in negative public opinion. Vaccinations for the general adult population are expected to accelerate from the third quarter, with people in their 30s and 40s likely to receive their first dose only by the end of August. Since most workplaces with affiliated clinics are large corporations, there is concern that this could be perceived as ‘preferential vaccination for large companies.’ Another company official explained, "Due to potential negative public sentiment, even companies that have conducted demand surveys are not confident about the actual implementation of self-vaccination."