"Vaccine Pass, Exceptions for Children and Adolescents Under Review... Not Intended to Discriminate Against the Unvaccinated"

On the 5th, as the quarantine authorities accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations for the phased daily recovery 'With Corona,' citizens who received the vaccine are waiting in the adverse reaction monitoring area at the vaccination center in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As social discussions about the "gradual recovery of daily life" under the "With Corona" policy become active, the quarantine authorities have announced their position to consider exempting children and adolescents from the vaccine pass introduction process and to ensure no discrimination against the unvaccinated.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated at the regular briefing of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the morning of the 5th, "The vaccine pass is currently under review and has not been finalized yet," adding, "We are considering exemptions for children and adolescents regarding the application of the vaccine pass."

The quarantine authorities will begin pre-registration for COVID-19 vaccination for children and adolescents aged 12 to 17 from today and plan to start vaccinations from the 18th. However, even if vaccinations are carried out for this group, the scope of application is being reviewed to exempt those under 18 years old from the vaccine pass. Additionally, since children under 12 have not yet been given vaccination opportunities, they are expected to be excluded from the vaccine pass vaccination targets in principle.

Son explained about the vaccine pass, "The vaccine pass is not a permanent system" and "It is a system introduced during the transition period for gradual recovery of daily life." He added, "Analyzing foreign cases, when vaccination rates become sufficiently high and the epidemic is well controlled, the scope of the vaccine pass introduction is reduced or the system itself is lifted," and "the vaccine pass focuses on vaccination history itself, and repeated measures every few months are not currently being fully considered."

He also reaffirmed the statement made by Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum during the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting that morning, emphasizing, "It is very important to ensure that no further discrimination or alienation occurs against the unvaccinated."

Son emphasized, "The purpose of introducing the vaccine pass is not to disadvantage or discriminate against the unvaccinated," but "it is being considered to reduce and block the scale of the epidemic among the unvaccinated, who have higher rates of severe illness and fatality."

He indicated that, based on foreign precedents, "Even unvaccinated individuals can present a negative PCR test certificate to prove they currently pose no risk and be allowed to use facilities and participate in events on the same terms as vaccinated people," suggesting that such a method will be introduced. He also mentioned plans to consider exceptions for those who cannot be vaccinated due to health reasons.