[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] Vaccinations with the Omicron variant BA.1-based bivalent vaccine (updated vaccine) for individuals aged 18 to 59 began on the 7th. Vaccinations with the BA.4/5-based vaccine, a sublineage of the Omicron variant, will start on the 14th with both advance reservations and same-day vaccinations available.
According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Promotion Team, adults aged 18 and over who made advance reservations for the bivalent vaccine starting from the 27th of last month can receive the Moderna or Pfizer BA.1-based bivalent vaccine from today. This expands the target group for additional winter vaccinations from vulnerable groups and seniors aged 60 and over to include the general adult population aged 18 and above. Vaccination is recommended at least four months (120 days) after the last vaccination or confirmed infection.
For Pfizer’s BA.4/5-based bivalent vaccine, which received emergency use authorization from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on the 17th of last month, the initial supply (approximately 1.19 million doses) arrived through Incheon International Airport on the 3rd, making the reservation vaccination date later than other bivalent vaccines, starting on the 14th. This winter’s additional vaccination allows recipients to choose one of three bivalent vaccines through advance reservation. The health authorities recommend receiving the bivalent updated vaccines over the original vaccines. There is no prioritization among the three bivalent vaccines.
Among the three vaccines, Moderna’s BA.1-based vaccine, which was the first to be introduced domestically, has been available for same-day vaccination along with advance reservations since the 27th of last month. If you cannot or do not want to receive the messenger RNA (mRNA) bivalent vaccines, you can be vaccinated with recombinant vaccines such as Novavax or Skycovione.
Advance reservations can be made through the reservation system, the 1339 call center, or by visiting community centers. For elderly people who find online use difficult, family members can make proxy reservations. Same-day vaccinations are also possible by using medical institution standby lists and leftover vaccine reservation services through Naver and Kakao.
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