Jung Sye-kyun: "Vaccinations from late February... Herd immunity more important than who gets vaccinated first"

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is attending an emergency inquiry on COVID-19 vaccine supply and quarantine issues held at the National Assembly plenary session on the 8th, greeting lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun attended an emergency parliamentary inquiry and stated, "Forming herd immunity is more important than getting vaccinated first," adding that 60-70% of the population will complete vaccination by the 3rd to 4th quarter. In response to the opposition party's criticism of the 'delayed vaccine,' he rebutted, saying, "We are doing our best according to a vaccine strategy suitable for Korea."

On the morning of the 8th, during the emergency parliamentary inquiry held at the National Assembly, Prime Minister Chung responded to a question from Kim Sung-joo, the Democratic Party's secretary of the Health and Welfare Committee, saying, "Before autumn, 60-70% of the population will complete vaccination, reaching a level where herd immunity is possible."

He said, "Looking at the international vaccine rollout situation, Israel, the fastest, is at about 16%, and other countries are at 1-2%. While the timing of starting vaccination is important, ultimately, vaccines are for prevention, and when herd immunity is formed among the people is what matters."

When People Power Party lawmaker Kang Ki-yoon blamed the delayed vaccine rollout, citing that 41 countries worldwide are vaccinating, Chung retorted, "Vaccines are administered for prevention," and asked, "Do you know how many daily confirmed cases there are in the UK and the US you mentioned earlier?" He emphasized, "This is not something to judge unilaterally. Our Republic of Korea has a strategy suited to Korea, and the government is doing its best according to that strategy."

Regarding the vaccination schedule, he indicated "around late February." Due to the nature of vaccine contracts, it is difficult to confirm and announce supply schedules weekly or monthly. Prime Minister Chung said, "In the case of AstraZeneca, even though preparations are underway to obtain approval as soon as possible, it takes 40 days," adding, "The government expects approval to be granted around February and is preparing a task force (TF) for the necessary preliminary measures for vaccination."

In addition to Prime Minister Chung, Director Jeong Eun-kyung of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and Minister Kwon Deok-cheol of the Ministry of Health and Welfare also attended the emergency parliamentary inquiry. Regarding the Dongbu Detention Center incident, Director Jeong responded to a question from lawmaker Kim, saying, "Due to the nature of the detention center, inmates have frequent contact with outsiders and visitors," and added, "Since the outbreak, new inmates have been quarantined for 14 days and tested upon release to block further transmission."

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