Government Expresses Significant Concern Over 'First Place Competition' Atmosphere in Vaccination... Emphasizes Importance of Confirming Safety (Update)

Dr. Michelle Chester at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens, New York City, is holding the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine ahead of the first COVID-19 vaccination in the United States. (New York AP=Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The government expressed considerable concern over the social atmosphere that seems to be engaging in a "first-place competition," as if it is necessary to be the first in the world to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, amid criticisms that the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) vaccine was not secured in a timely manner and that the vaccination schedule is delayed.

On the morning of the 23rd, Son Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Team at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, emphasized at the regular briefing of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for COVID-19, "Since the development process of this vaccine was significantly shortened, safety issues are an important topic that cannot be overlooked for the people."

He added, "We should avoid a situation where we are the first in the world to receive the vaccine as much as possible," and "It is very fortunate that we have the opportunity to observe the issues occurring in other countries for a month or two."

According to a public opinion poll released that day, 54.9% of respondents said, "Because the COVID-19 situation is serious, vaccination should start domestically as soon as possible," exceeding half. Meanwhile, 41.1% responded, "Since the situation overseas and domestically is different, vaccination should proceed after further verification of safety." Those who answered "I don't know" accounted for 3.9%.

Referring to the cases of the United States and the United Kingdom, which have started vaccinations, Son said, "In these countries, there are practically no other quarantine strategies currently available besides the vaccine," and emphasized, "It is somewhat inappropriate to take them as a negative example, and considering the process of confirming safety, there is no reason for us to be among the first or second countries in the world to receive the vaccine."

He added, "Even after starting vaccination, it will take as long as 9 to 10 months to form herd immunity," and "Rather than focusing on the start of vaccination, more attention should be paid to how to harmonize vaccination priority, securing safety during the vaccination process, distribution process, mask-wearing, and infection control in multi-use facilities during this period."

Son emphasized, "Our country has also begun preparations in advance regarding vaccine approval, vaccination process, and distribution process, and once safety is confirmed, vaccination will start as quickly as possible, focusing on high-risk groups," and "We will establish a comprehensive strategy to ensure there are no issues during the vaccination period and to harmonize quarantine management."

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