0.5ml Toward Everyday Life, First Step Taken to Overcome COVID-19

AstraZeneca Vaccine Single Dose 0.5ml

COVID-19 Vaccination Begins

Vaccination Starts 403 Days After First Confirmed Case

At 8:45 a.m. on the 26th, Lee Kyung-soon (61), a care worker at Sanggye Nursing Home and the first person vaccinated in Seoul, is receiving the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at the Nowon-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. (Provided by Nowon-gu Office)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] "I feel reassured after getting the vaccine." At 8:45 a.m. on the 26th at the Nowon-gu Public Health Center in Seoul, Lee Kyung-soon (61), a caregiver at Sanggye Nursing Home and the country's first recipient of the COVID-19 vaccine, smiled brightly after receiving the vaccine.

Although the government did not officially designate a first recipient, Lee effectively became the first vaccinated person by receiving the vaccine 15 minutes earlier than her scheduled time of 9 a.m.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, COVID-19 vaccinations began around 9 a.m. that day for 5,266 residents and workers at 213 nursing facilities nationwide. The first dose targets approximately 290,000 inpatients, residents, and workers under 65 years old at nursing hospitals and facilities, as well as mental health and rehabilitation facilities nationwide. This marks 403 days since the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Korea on January 20 of last year.

Separately, vaccinations are also being conducted at 292 nursing hospitals depending on hospital conditions, so the number of vaccinated individuals on the first day is expected to increase. Starting on the 27th, the government plans to disclose cumulative and daily vaccination status, nationwide and regional vaccination numbers, and adverse reaction reports on its website.

On the 27th, vaccinations with the Pfizer vaccine, introduced through the international vaccine supply organization COVAX, will begin at the Central Vaccination Center of the National Medical Center in Seoul for 300 workers at COVID-19 treatment hospitals. The first dose target group numbers approximately 54,500 people.

On this day, President Moon Jae-in, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Director Jeong Eun-kyeong, and other officials directly observed the vaccination site at Mapo-gu Public Health Center, where Kim Yoon-tae, director of Nexu Children's Rehabilitation Hospital (60), was vaccinated. President Moon called it a "historic first vaccination" and urged the public to "get vaccinated promptly."

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun also stated in his remarks at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, "It is now the time for vaccines," adding, "While there is some nervousness about the first vaccination, many people hold hopes and excitement to regain their daily lives as soon as possible. The government will do its utmost to fulfill that wish quickly."

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