[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] The government is promoting measures to encourage additional COVID-19 vaccinations (booster shots) by expanding the target group from those aged 50 and above to all adults aged 18 and above.
As the COVID-19 situation worsened with a sharp increase in confirmed cases, critically ill patients, and deaths following the phased implementation of daily recovery, the government decided to postpone the second phase of daily recovery, originally planned for mid-next month, and adjust quarantine measures to expand booster vaccinations to reduce the number of critically ill patients and deaths.
Instead, the government plans to maintain the current level of daily recovery for four weeks until June 26, when the effects of the booster shots are expected to appear, while implementing special quarantine measures, and then reassess whether to move to the second phase.
On the 29th, the government held a special COVID-19 quarantine inspection meeting chaired by President Moon Jae-in at the Blue House to discuss follow-up medical and quarantine response plans with these details.
The government decided that those aged 18 to 49 will receive booster shots five months after completing the primary vaccination series (1st and 2nd doses), set a six-month validity period for the quarantine pass (vaccination completion/negative test confirmation system), and make home treatment the principle for all confirmed cases.
Measures such as reducing the size of private gatherings in restaurants and cafes or limiting the number of unvaccinated participants, and expanding the application of the quarantine pass will be decided after further discussion.
People aged 18 to 49 can make advance reservations for booster shots starting from July 2, and vaccinations will begin on July 4. From July 2, same-day vaccinations are also available using leftover vaccines.
Currently, those in their 50s receive booster shots five months after their primary vaccination, and Janssen vaccine recipients and immunocompromised individuals receive boosters after two months. By including those aged 18 to 49 in the booster shot target group, the interval between doses is also shortened to five months. Early booster vaccination is also permitted.
For individuals with personal circumstances or those who must follow group vaccination schedules, and for those wishing to be vaccinated with leftover vaccines, the booster shot interval can be shortened by one month: to three months for those aged 60 and above, and four months for those aged 18 to 59.
The government views the urgent need for booster vaccinations among the elderly, who have recently seen a sharp rise in confirmed and critically ill cases, and will operate December as a "Community Elderly Intensive Vaccination Period," supporting on-site vaccinations and proxy reservations through community leaders.
To increase vaccination rates among teenagers, who have a high unvaccinated rate, the vaccination deadline for those aged 12 to 17 will be extended to January 22 next year, along with strengthening school quarantine measures and promoting youth vaccination rates.
Assigning a validity period to the quarantine pass, which must be presented when using multi-use facilities, is also part of the booster shot encouragement measures.
The quarantine pass issued to those who have completed the primary vaccination will have a six-month validity period. This six-month period was set considering the five-month booster shot interval and a one-month grace period. Therefore, to maintain the quarantine pass, one must receive the booster shot within the vaccination interval. The government is preparing to implement the quarantine pass validity period starting from July 20.
To resolve hospital bed issues, all confirmed cases will basically stay at home for treatment, and only those who require hospitalization or whose living facilities are vulnerable to infection will be admitted to facilities.
Until now, home treatment was provided only to asymptomatic or mild confirmed cases under 70 years old without hospitalization factors who agreed to home treatment, but now home treatment will be the principle, and only those who need hospitalization will be admitted.
As the number of home treatment cases expands significantly, support for home treatment patients will also be expanded. The government plans to review living support funds considering additional costs incurred during home treatment compared to cases admitted to life treatment centers.
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