COVID-19 Same-Day Vaccination for Infants and Toddlers Starts from the 13th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] The COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team (Promotion Team) announced on the 9th that starting from the 13th, same-day COVID-19 vaccination will begin for infants and toddlers aged 6 months to 4 years.

The Promotion Team emphasized that vaccination is necessary for infants and toddlers because ▲ they have a higher risk of severe illness and death compared to children and adolescents, ▲ the period from symptom onset to death is very short, and ▲ especially those with underlying conditions have a higher risk of severe illness and death.

The Promotion Team strongly recommends vaccination for high-risk infants and toddlers who have a high risk of severe illness and death. High-risk groups include infants and toddlers who are severely immunocompromised, those who have undergone bone marrow or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, patients with chronic lung disease or chronic heart disease, and those with severe cerebral palsy.

Infant and toddler vaccination consists of three primary doses administered at intervals of 8 weeks (56 days) each. The Pfizer vaccine for infants and toddlers will be used for vaccination. This vaccine has been confirmed and verified for safety and efficacy through the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety’s approval process, and the Promotion Team explained that it is a vaccine authorized and approved by major national drug regulatory agencies such as the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration).

The list of medical institutions where vaccination is available can be checked on the COVID-19 vaccination website. Vaccinations will be conducted at approximately 840 separately designated entrusted medical institutions capable of treating infants and toddlers and handling emergency situations. To ensure that high-risk infants and toddlers can receive vaccination after sufficient explanation from their attending physicians at medical institutions where they visit or are hospitalized, 5 advanced general hospitals and 63 general hospitals are also included.

The Promotion Team stated, “For infants and toddlers who are immunocompromised or have underlying conditions, we ask that you consult with the attending physician at the medical institution you visit and participate in vaccination.”