Government Confident "70% of Citizens to Receive 2nd Dose by October"... Delegation- Moderna Meeting Results to be Announced on 17th

President Moon Jae-in's Liberation Day Speech
"70% of the Entire Population to Complete Second Vaccination by October"

Reaffirms Goal of Early Achievement of 'Herd Immunity by November'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The government has reaffirmed its plan to complete the first dose of vaccination for 70% of the total population before Chuseok and to finish the second dose by the end of October. Initially, the government set the target date for completing COVID-19 vaccinations for 36 million people, equivalent to 70% of the population, as November, but it was moved up to October. Although variables such as extended intervals between doses arose due to supply instability of the Moderna vaccine, the government still believes early achievement is possible.

On the 15th, Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at the regular COVID-19 briefing, "We believe it will be possible to complete the first dose for more than 70% of the entire population by Chuseok," adding, "If the second dose is administered at a six-week interval accordingly, we judge that 70% of the entire population will have received the second dose by the end of October." He further stated, "This means that the plan to fully complete the second dose for 70% of the population by the end of November, which was previously presented, can be achieved a little earlier."

The government considers the achievement of herd immunity to be the point when 70% of the total population has completed the second dose and two weeks have passed for antibody formation. Son said, "Considering the current vaccine supply, reservation status, and vaccination progress, it seems possible to complete the second dose for 70% of the population by the end of October," adding, "Taking into account the two-week period for the effect to appear, two weeks should be added after the completion of vaccination."

From Chuseok, when the first dose for 70% of the total population is expected to be completed, the authorities explained that discussions on improving the quarantine system, such as the recently active 'With Corona' policy, will also proceed.

However, concerns remain that the vaccination plan could change if there are disruptions in vaccine supply, such as the recent Moderna supply delay. Son said, "While preparing various scenarios regarding vaccine supply, even if some variables such as supply instability occur, we believe this target is achievable," adding, "However, if such supply disruptions occur seriously, there is a possibility that the plan may change."

Kang Do-tae, the 2nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, is departing through Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport on the 13th to resolve the supply disruption of Moderna vaccines from the U.S. pharmaceutical company. The government delegation, led by Vice Minister Kang, is scheduled to discuss smooth vaccine supply measures with Moderna's vaccine sales manager on the afternoon of the 13th local U.S. time. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

Meanwhile, the government delegation that visited Moderna headquarters in the United States to resolve vaccine supply issues returned to Korea through Incheon Airport in the afternoon. Earlier, on the 13th (local time), a delegation of four, including Kang Do-tae, Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, and Ryu Geun-hyuk, Secretary for Social Policy at the Blue House, visited Moderna headquarters to express regret over the supply disruption and discuss future supply measures.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare stated, "After the delegation's arrival, diagnostic testing, quarantine, and practical coordination with Moderna are necessary," and added, "The results of the discussions will be announced at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) briefing on Tuesday (17th) morning."