Priority Vaccination for High School Seniors and People in Their 50s in July... 'Under 40s' First-Come, First-Served from August (Comprehensive)

After Priority Vaccination Ends for People in Their 50s in July
From August, 'First-Come, First-Served' for Those Under 40

22 Million First Doses Targeted in Q3

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The government announced its third-quarter vaccination plan, which starts with COVID-19 vaccinations for high school seniors, high school staff, and people in their 50s in July, followed by all age groups under 40 from August. The goal is to complete the first dose for 36 million people, over 70% of the entire population, by the end of September through vaccinating 22 million people in the third quarter.

The COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team announced the 'COVID-19 Vaccination Third Quarter Implementation Plan' for the general public aged 18 to 59 starting next month. On the 17th, Jeong Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), said regarding the goals of the third-quarter plan, "We will complete vaccinations for daycare centers, kindergartens, and elementary to high school staff during summer vacation to make schools the starting point for a full-scale return to normal life, and support safe college entrance preparations through vaccinating exam candidates." She added, "Considering the risk level of COVID-19, priority vaccinations for people in their 50s will be promoted in July and August."

She continued, "We will expand vaccination capacity by adding vaccination centers and implementing vaccinations at entrusted medical institutions with Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and promote vaccination convenience through autonomous vaccinations by local governments and workplace vaccinations by businesses."

(Data from the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team)

Unvaccinated June Registrants and People in Their 50s to Receive Priority Vaccination in July

In July, the start of the third quarter, vaccinations will first be given to those who registered this month but have not yet been vaccinated, education and childcare workers, college entrance exam candidates, and mainly people in their 50s.

Those aged 60 to 74 who have not completed AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccination by the 19th of this month due to increased pre-registrations will be given priority vaccination in early July. Approximately 70,000 unvaccinated social essential workers under 30 years old, who were targeted for AZ vaccination in the first half of the year, will also be pre-registered and vaccinated in early July. Registrations will be accepted from June 28 to 30, and vaccinations will begin on July 5.

Next, high school seniors and high school staff will start vaccinations from the third week of July according to pre-coordinated schedules between the local education offices and vaccination centers in each city, county, and district. Considering vaccine types and intervals, Pfizer vaccine has been selected. For college entrance exam candidates other than high school seniors, the list of eligible individuals will be secured and registered in July, and vaccinations will be conducted in August through online pre-registration.

During the same period, vaccinations will also be conducted for daycare, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school staff and childcare workers. Pfizer or Moderna vaccines will be used. Vaccinations originally planned for June for daycare and kindergarten staff and first and second-grade elementary school teachers will also be conducted together after pre-registration.

By age group, considering the severity and risk of COVID-19, vaccinations will start first for people in their 50s. After pre-registration, vaccinations will begin on July 26. Pre-registration will be conducted at one- to two-week intervals depending on vaccine supply volume and timing, starting with those aged 55 to 59, followed by those aged 50 to 54.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Ages 18 to 49 to Be Vaccinated 'In Order of Reservation' Starting in August

The government will not set a separate order for age groups under 40 and will vaccinate according to reservation order starting in August. For those aged 18 to 49, since the risk difference by age is not significant, the focus is placed more on vaccination speed. Pre-registrations will be conducted at one- to two-week intervals, and individuals will decide their vaccination date and institution.

However, since the exact types and quantities of vaccines arriving during this period have not been confirmed, the vaccine types are undecided. Commissioner Jeong said, "Since the weekly vaccine supply plan has not yet been finalized, the types and quantities of vaccines may vary, so detailed plans will be specified later in monthly plans." She explained, "We expanded the vaccination targets uniformly because vaccinations for people in their 20s and those who wish to be vaccinated were delayed." Methods to disperse excessive early reservation concentration are currently under review.

Autonomous vaccinations by local governments and workplace vaccinations will also be promoted to improve convenience and reflect regional characteristics. Considering local government characteristics such as population composition, industrial structure, and quarantine situations, vaccinations for essential workers and high-risk groups will be conducted according to each region's own plan. Specific vaccination schedules will be determined after the vaccine supply situation at the end of July.

For the convenience of workers, workplaces requiring 24-hour operation, such as major steel and automobile factories, will also conduct workplace vaccinations. These will be carried out at affiliated clinics capable of workplace vaccinations for employees and subcontractor workers, planned for August.

Commissioner Jeong said, "Workplace vaccinations can increase accessibility and speed, so after priority groups have been vaccinated to some extent, we are consulting with the Ministry of Employment and Labor to implement group vaccinations at workplaces focusing on willing businesses." She added, "Local government vaccinations are planned to complement nationwide uniform vaccinations and provide some customized vaccinations, so there are some differences."