COVID-19 Vaccination Rate Drops Sharply... "Get Vaccinated on Time"

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] It has been revealed that the national vaccination rates for the elderly and children have decreased compared to a year ago due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 22nd, the pneumococcal vaccination rate for those aged 65 and older dropped to one-third of the previous level, from 18.2% in the first quarter of last year to 6.2% in the first quarter of this year.

Among the 10 essential childhood vaccinations, the first vaccinations given after 12 months?measles, chickenpox, and Japanese encephalitis vaccines?each decreased by about 1 percentage point, and the vaccination rates for additional vaccines given after ages 4 to 6 fell by approximately 2 to 3 percentage points.

However, the first and second basic vaccination rates for vaccines administered before 12 months remained at 97?98%, the same level as the previous year.

In 2020, reports of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) mostly showed a decreasing trend. Cases of chickenpox and mumps decreased by about 26?30% compared to the previous year. However, pneumococcal infections increased by approximately 16%.

The KDCA stated, "The decrease in vaccine-preventable disease occurrences is presumed to be due to delayed openings of daycare centers, kindergartens, and schools caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced group outbreaks."

They added, "If vaccinations are delayed or stopped, there could be a double burden at the end of this year, having to respond simultaneously to outbreaks of COVID-19 and vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles. Therefore, vaccinations must be continuously administered."

Earlier, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced interim guidelines on the 26th of last month, presenting principles for continuous vaccination to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the KDCA is developing a pre-reservation system and implementing safe vaccination measures such as dividing vaccination and outpatient care into morning and afternoon sessions.

Jung Eun-kyung, director of the KDCA, said, "Vaccinations must continue without interruption even during the COVID-19 pandemic," and added, "To prepare for outbreaks of diseases such as chickenpox, mumps, and measles due to school reopenings, increased outdoor activities, and increased overseas exchanges after the end of COVID-19, please follow the vaccination guide and receive vaccinations according to the standard schedule."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.