Ministry of National Defense Conducts Final Inspection for COVID-19 Vaccine Transport Support

On the 19th, at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Defense Minister Seo Wook is inspecting the preparation status during the 2nd integrated government-wide simulation exercise for vaccine distribution. Today's exercise involves loading vaccine transport vehicles onto military aircraft to transport vaccines in case civilian air transport to island areas is restricted. / February 19, 2021 Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]The Ministry of National Defense announced on the 22nd that it held a video conference to conduct a final check on the support preparations for transporting the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines.

At the meeting chaired by Minister of National Defense Seo Wook, the Transport Support Headquarters presented the transportation, escort, and storage plans for the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccines scheduled to be shipped from the SK Bioscience factory in Andong, Gyeongbuk, starting on the 24th.

Subsequently, each military operations command reported escort plans for each transportation stage and contingency measures for air and maritime transport. Additionally, the Ministry of National Defense stated that a standard model for unit support tasks, including security of vaccination facilities, vaccine storage and management, and cooperation between the military and police, was presented.

Minister Seo said, "Rapid and safe vaccine transportation is the cornerstone for successful vaccination," and added, "Let us restore the 'peaceful daily life of the people' as soon as possible through organic cooperation among civilians, government, military, and police."

The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, chiefs of staff of each military branch, key military commanders, support personnel from various units, and officials from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

The AstraZeneca vaccine will be prioritized for vaccination starting on the 26th for inpatients and residents under the age of 65, as well as workers at nursing hospitals, nursing facilities, and mental health and rehabilitation facilities nationwide.

The Ministry of National Defense conducted the second government-wide vaccine distribution simulation training under the leadership of the Transport Support Headquarters on the 19th.

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