Disease Control Headquarters Establishes 'Vaccination Planning Division'... Response to Emerging Infectious Diseases

On the 1st, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced that it has disbanded the existing 'COVID-19 Vaccination Response Task Force' in line with the downgrade of the COVID-19 crisis level and established the 'Vaccination Planning Division' as an autonomous body within the Medical Safety and Prevention Bureau to prepare strategies for responding to new infectious diseases.

Exterior view of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. [Photo by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency]

The Vaccination Planning Division will be headed by a Grade 4 director and consist of 10 members. Going forward, it will undertake tasks such as ▲ reviewing the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines into the national immunization program ▲ preparing vaccination strategies for responding to new infectious diseases ▲ evaluating the feasibility of introducing new domestic and international vaccines based on analysis ▲ assessing vaccination effectiveness and revising implementation standards.

As an autonomous body, one division at the agency level can operate for 6 months to 1 year and is established and managed according to internal regulations and directives. The KDCA explained that the Vaccination Planning Division was established as part of a strategy to ensure continuous and stable COVID-19 management and to strengthen infectious disease response capabilities following the downgrade of the COVID-19 crisis level from 'Severe' to 'Alert.'

Director Ji Young-mi of the KDCA expressed gratitude, saying, "I thank the public who actively participated in vaccination to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the medical staff, local government officials, military and police personnel, and other field workers who quietly dedicated themselves to ensuring safe vaccinations throughout the entire process." She added, "Through the establishment of the Vaccination Planning Division, we will faithfully implement national tasks in the field of infectious disease management and strengthen international cooperation in the vaccine sector, doing our utmost to prepare rapid and safe vaccination strategies for responding to new infectious diseases that may arise in the future."