Advance Reservations for COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Aged 5 to 11 Start Today

Use of Pfizer Pediatric Vaccine... Vaccinations Start from the 31st

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] From the 24th, advance reservations for COVID-19 vaccination will begin for children aged 5 to 11.

According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, from this day forward, vaccination reservations for children aged 5 to 11 will be available on the vaccination reservation website.

The health authorities announced the pediatric vaccination plan on the 14th, stating, "Since the Omicron variant became the dominant strain in Korea, confirmed cases among 5 to 11-year-olds have surged, resulting in severe cases and deaths," and added, "Vaccination is strongly recommended for high-risk children who are at greater risk of severe illness."

The high-risk groups recommended for vaccination include ▲ immunocompromised individuals (those taking immunosuppressants) ▲ diabetes ▲ obesity ▲ children with chronic lung, kidney, liver, or heart diseases. Additionally, children deemed in need of vaccination based on a physician's opinion are also recommended to be vaccinated.

For general children, guardians may decide voluntarily whether to vaccinate.

Vaccinations will begin nationwide from the 31st at about 1,200 designated pediatric vaccination entrusted medical institutions. The target group is children aged 5 to 11 based on their age. Approximately 3.07 million children born from 2010 who have not yet had their birthday to those born in 2017 who have had their birthday are eligible. A guardian or legal representative must accompany the child during vaccination to monitor for any adverse reactions.

The pediatric vaccine developed by Pfizer will be used for children. The pediatric vaccine contains only 10μg of the active ingredient, which is one-third of the amount in the existing vaccine for those aged 12 and older. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved the domestic use of this product on the 23rd of last month, confirming its safety.

The interval between the first and second doses is 8 weeks. However, if there are medical reasons or personal circumstances requiring an earlier second dose, vaccination can be administered after 3 weeks, which is the approved minimum interval by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

If one wishes to be vaccinated on the day without making an advance reservation, they can call a designated pediatric vaccination entrusted medical institution to check for vaccine availability and then visit. Unlike adults, it is not possible to make reservations through social network services (SNS).