"COVID-19 Vaccine, Now Vaccination Is Key"…Authorities Struggle

One Year of COVID-19 Vaccine Battle
"Systematic Preparation Including Vaccination Education"
Essential to Establish Systems for Reservations and Post-Vaccination Management
Public Reassurance Messages Also Needed

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] In the UK, which was the first country in the world to start COVID-19 vaccination, about 2.43 million people have been vaccinated as of about a month later. This accounts for approximately 4.19% of the UK population. Only 410,000 people have completed the second dose. In the United States, where even the military was mobilized for transportation operations, the vaccination rate is 2.8%, and even Germany, home to the world's first COVID-19 vaccine developer, has only reached 0.8%. It is difficult not only to develop new vaccines or purchase them earlier than others but also to actually administer the vaccinations afterward.

Now, the Key is Administering the Vaccine

According to the quarantine authorities on the 13th, the Korean government, which has signed contracts to purchase over 100 million doses (a dose refers to one vaccination), has begun multifaceted preparations to start vaccinations immediately after supply begins next month. This is because the entire vaccination system needs to be reviewed, including deciding who gets vaccinated first, how to deliver vaccines that are difficult to distribute and store, how to handle pre-vaccination reservations, and post-vaccination management. Although some vaccines are part of the national immunization program in Korea, this is the first time that a vaccine is being administered to the entire population within a short period, so a new system is being established.

According to the recently commissioned proposal for the "COVID-19 Vaccine National Immunization Implementation Plan" by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, a system will be established for vaccine supply management, pre-reservation, issuance of vaccination certificates, and monitoring of adverse reactions including side effects. Except for Janssen among the vaccines contracted by the Korean government, all require two doses, and since the vaccines to be supplied this time are from different companies and use different methods, more detailed management is necessary.

Considering that many people flock to hospitals during the first few days of the annual flu vaccination season, a system to pre-book vaccination dates and times will also be refined. Although there is currently a reservation system for flu vaccinations, it has been criticized as ineffective. Whether at private medical institutions or specially established vaccination centers, there is a concern that many people will gather indoors at the beginning of vaccination, so to reduce infection risks, it is necessary to stagger vaccination times.

On the 12th (local time), a tent for COVID-19 vaccination was set up in the southeast 'Toy Story' parking lot at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, USA.

"Safety Messages and Incentives Needed"

The authorities are also concerned about issues such as distribution defects or unclear causal relationships with side effects, as was the case during last year's flu vaccination. Last year, distrust in vaccines increased when it was revealed that temperature control was not properly maintained during distribution in some regions. The authorities plan to select a specialized distribution company capable of real-time cold chain maintenance and management within this month, and prepare ultra-low temperature freezers and necessary equipment and supplies for vaccination as soon as possible.

There is also a risk that side effects experienced after vaccination may be exaggerated or misreported without sufficient evidence. To address this, a dispatch team will be organized to visit sites directly, and reporting systems as well as criteria for suspension and resumption of vaccination will be established. Professor Jung Jae-hoon of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Gachon University Gil Medical Center said, "Since there are rare but severe adverse reaction cases, it is necessary to prepare in advance by educating vaccination institutions," and added, "The government also needs to provide a consistent message that the vaccine is safe."

Boris Johnson (center), the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, watched Caroline Cook (left), the first vaccine recipient, receive her injection at the recently established COVID-19 vaccination center at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, southwest London, on the 11th (local time). To accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations, the UK has opened seven large-scale vaccination centers in England, including this location. <이미지:연합뉴스>

Since the goal is to achieve herd immunity through vaccination (over 60% of the total population) before the end of this year, there are calls for the government to consider incentives for vaccination. This includes providing tangible benefits from vaccination, such as the so-called 'vaccine passport,' or conversely imposing restrictions on unvaccinated individuals to increase vaccination rates.

Jang Young-wook, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, said, "There needs to be discussion on how to create incentives, such as making it easier to use restaurants and public facilities after vaccination," but added, "Since some people have fears about side effects, this should be refined through social discussion."

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