President Moon: "Vaccine supplies for August-September will be introduced without delay... Please make active reservations" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in assured that despite the global uncertainty in vaccine supply, the vaccine quantities for vaccinations in August and September will be introduced without any setbacks, urging, "I ask the people to trust the government and actively participate in reservations and vaccinations."

On the 2nd, President Moon presided over a senior secretaries meeting at the Blue House and stated, "Starting next week, advance reservations will begin for more than 17 million people aged from their 20s to 40s."

President Moon emphasized that although there is global uncertainty in vaccine supply, "the vaccine quantities for vaccinations in August and September will be introduced without any setbacks," and added, "The more people make reservations, the faster the vaccination pace can be." He also urged active participation in vaccine reservations and vaccinations.

Regarding COVID-19, President Moon expressed concern, saying, "I feel very heavy-hearted that the people cannot even spend the vacations they have been waiting for with peace of mind," and added, "Due to the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant, the number of confirmed cases worldwide has increased for five consecutive weeks, showing patterns different from expectations."

He continued, "Humanity still has many unknowns about COVID-19, and it is uncertain how far the mutations will go," emphasizing, "What is clear now is that even if vaccines do not prevent infection, they significantly reduce the rates of severe illness and fatality, so vaccination is absolutely necessary."

President Moon highlighted the excellence of K-quarantine measures such as extensive diagnostic testing, rapid epidemiological investigations, and residential treatment centers, stating, "At the same time, we will do our best to accelerate the pace of vaccinations." Regarding this, he said, "By tomorrow, the number of first-dose vaccinations will exceed 20 million, and the plan to complete first-dose vaccinations for 36 million people by September is progressing without setbacks," adding, "We aim to achieve this goal ahead of schedule, before the Chuseok holiday."

Encouraging the national athletes' performance and challenges shown at the Tokyo Olympics, he also called for the realization of a sports powerhouse through the 'Sports Basic Act.' President Moon said, "The 'Sports Basic Act,' which embodies the spirit and purpose of sports, has passed the National Assembly. I hope this will be an opportunity for our society's sports awareness and culture to mature to the next level," and added, "Only by promoting effective policies supporting the 'Sports Basic Act' in various ways can we truly become a sports powerhouse."