COVID-19 Vaccination in February-March Next Year... Starting with Elderly in Group Facilities and Healthcare Workers

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] It is expected that COVID-19 vaccinations will be available immediately once the vaccines are introduced from February to March next year. Vaccinations will begin with elderly residents in group facilities such as nursing hospitals and high-risk healthcare workers, and the target groups will be gradually expanded.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), stated on the 28th, "The government will ensure that vaccinations can begin immediately from February to March when vaccines are supplied domestically."

The government will start vaccinations with high-risk healthcare workers and elderly residents in group facilities such as nursing hospitals among the priority vaccination groups. Subsequently, the vaccination targets will be expanded, and the plan is to complete vaccinations for priority groups before the influenza season (November).

The priority vaccination groups include ▲ healthcare workers ▲ residents and workers in group facilities ▲ those aged 65 and older ▲ adults with chronic diseases (aged 19?64, moderate or higher risk) ▲ workers and staff at child and youth education and care facilities ▲ first responders to COVID-19 ▲ police officers, firefighters, military personnel, totaling 36 million people.

Head Jung said, "The priority order of vaccination targets will be detailed through the review of the Vaccination Review Committee, considering vaccine supply timing, effectiveness, vaccination and distribution storage methods, and an annual detailed schedule for each target group will be specified."

COVID-19 vaccinations will be conducted through two methods, considering the characteristics of each vaccine type: operating separate vaccination centers and designating entrusted medical institutions.

Vaccines requiring frozen distribution, such as Pfizer, will be administered at approximately 100 to 250 designated separate vaccination centers equipped with freezers. Vaccines that can be refrigerated and distributed, such as AstraZeneca and Janssen, will be administered at designated entrusted medical institutions that meet the criteria among those with prior vaccination experience.

The government plans to secure about 250 ultra-low temperature freezers for the frozen distribution and storage management of the Pfizer vaccine within the first quarter. The government is currently proceeding with the purchase process.

Head Jung stated, "Maintaining the cold chain is very important for COVID-19 vaccines due to various platforms and strict distribution and storage standards," and added, "We will establish 'COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Storage Guidelines' in cooperation with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and other related agencies to ensure systematic and safe vaccinations."

To prevent cross-vaccination of COVID-19 vaccines, which generally require two doses, a 'COVID-19 Vaccination Integrated Management System' will be established. Through this system, the government plans to systematize vaccine supply and management, prior notification and reservation for eligible citizens, vaccination registration, and post-vaccination adverse reaction monitoring and follow-up.

Regarding possible adverse reactions after vaccination, a joint monitoring system between the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will be established, and a national compensation system will be applied for confirmed vaccine-related damages.

Head Jung said, "The government is making every effort at the whole-of-government level to prepare for vaccine introduction and safe vaccination," and added, "We are continuously negotiating with individual pharmaceutical companies to advance the domestic supply schedule and secure additional quantities, and we will announce detailed vaccination plans in January next year."

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