Authorities: "8.5 Million Elderly to Receive COVID-19 Vaccination in First Half of the Year"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyungsoo] The government will begin COVID-19 vaccinations starting on the 26th. Key government figures, including President Moon Jae-in, will be assigned vaccination order based on the same criteria as the general public.

Jung Kyung-sil, Head of the Vaccination Management Division at the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, stated in a CBS radio interview on the 16th, "Even government officials will receive vaccinations according to the established order."

Health authorities announced last month that elderly individuals aged 65 and over will be vaccinated sequentially starting in May, beginning with the oldest among the super-aged population. There are approximately 8.5 million elderly people aged 65 and above, and President Moon, who is 68 this year, falls into the later group within the 65+ age bracket.

Regarding elderly vaccinations, Jung explained, "We plan to start vaccinating those living in or using facilities such as those for the disabled and homeless, as well as the general elderly population aged 65 and above, during the first half of the year."

Elderly residents of nursing hospitals and care facilities were initially prioritized for vaccination, but the rollout has been delayed due to concerns about the effectiveness of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the elderly. However, considering the risk of cluster infections, they are likely to be vaccinated before the general elderly population.

Jung said, "Elderly residents and workers aged 65 and above in nursing hospitals and care facilities are expected to be vaccinated around April to May," adding, "They may also receive vaccinations with other vaccines arriving between April and May."

Regarding potential supply disruptions of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in South Korea, Jung stated, "Pfizer doses through the COVAX Facility (an international vaccine procurement project) will arrive between late February and March," and added, "We are continuously striving to secure additional early supplies in the first half of the year."

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