Prime Minister Han: "The scope of recognized vaccine adverse reactions was narrow... Establishment of 'Damage Compensation Support Center'"

COVID-19 Prevention Status Review Meeting

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (second from the left) is presiding over a meeting to review the COVID-19 prevention situation at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City on the afternoon of the 22nd. May 22, 2022. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated on the 22nd, "There have been criticisms that the procedure for recognizing adverse reactions to vaccines is complicated and the scope of recognition is narrow," adding, "Going forward, we will strive to minimize the inconvenience and sacrifices of the public by establishing vaccine damage compensation support centers and implementing a fast track for high-risk groups."

On the same day, Prime Minister Han presided over a COVID-19 prevention situation inspection meeting at the Government Sejong Complex and said, "We will work to reduce the inconvenience and pain experienced by the public during the implementation of prevention policies."

Regarding COVID-19 prevention, Prime Minister Han said, "The new government intends to prepare to respond unwaveringly to any situation that may arise," and added, "We will further develop the successful parts of the prevention policies we have implemented so far and objectively evaluate and supplement the trial and error."

To this end, he said, "We will promote prevention policies based on scientific evidence." He noted, "There were criticisms that the acceptance was low because decisions were made depending on the situation when social distancing was implemented in the past," and said, "From now on, we will establish and implement prevention policies that the public can trust through nationwide antibody positivity rate surveys and the establishment of a COVID-19 big data platform."

Prime Minister Han also stated, "We will establish a sustainable prevention and medical system to prepare for future infectious disease crisis situations," adding, "During the past COVID-19 crisis response, shortages of hospital beds and personnel were repeated, but going forward, we plan to secure sufficient essential beds, transition to a general medical system, and fully secure oral therapeutics without any setbacks."

Regarding the recent prevention situation, Prime Minister Han said, "Although confirmed cases have slightly decreased, the weekly daily average of confirmed cases is still about 25,000, with about 30 to 40 deaths, and new variant viruses are also emerging, so it is a situation that cannot be relaxed." He emphasized, "As the head of the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters responsible for prevention, I will coordinate prevention measures and manage the field with a heavy sense of responsibility."