Pregnant Women, Children and Adolescents Also to Receive Vaccines... Authorities to Announce Q4 Vaccination Plan on 27th

On the 23rd, citizens visiting the COVID-19 vaccination center set up at Bukahyeon Culture and Sports Center in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, are receiving their vaccinations. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The COVID-19 vaccination plan for the fourth quarter, which includes vaccination plans for pregnant women and children and adolescents, will be announced on the 27th.

The COVID-19 Vaccination Response Task Force announced on the 23rd that it will announce the 'COVID-19 Vaccination Fourth Quarter Implementation Plan' on the afternoon of the 27th. This fourth quarter plan is expected to include vaccination plans for pregnant women and children and adolescents, as well as information on additional vaccinations (booster shots) and vaccination plans for the unvaccinated.

Previously, health authorities stated that they would consider allowing COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women and children and adolescents aged 12 to 17, who had been excluded from COVID-19 vaccination so far. In addition, in February and March, at the early stage of COVID-19 vaccination, they also announced plans to promote booster shots for vulnerable groups such as residents of nursing hospitals and facilities who were vaccinated early, and immunocompromised individuals.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the 22nd (local time) granted emergency use authorization for a single Pfizer vaccine booster shot for seniors aged 65 and older or high-risk groups regardless of age. Initially, the U.S. government had planned to administer booster shots to all adults aged 18 and over, but the target group was significantly reduced after FDA experts raised objections.