Will a 'Vaccine Leave' Be Introduced?… Democratic Party Proposes Amendment to Infectious Disease Control Act

Medical staff eligible for vaccination are receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] As discussions to introduce 'vaccine leave' have intensified, efforts to amend the law for its implementation have also begun.

On the 16th, Kim Won-i, a member of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party of Korea, announced that he had taken the lead in proposing a partial amendment to the "Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act" to introduce vaccine leave for infectious diseases such as COVID-19 on the 15th.

In explaining the reason for the bill proposal, Representative Kim stated, "Since the COVID-19 vaccination began recently, mainly among medical personnel, public opinion has emerged that rest and leave are necessary due to immune responses such as fever and muscle pain for antibody formation," adding, "However, under the current law, there is no legal basis for paid leave for those who have received infectious disease vaccines."

To address this, the amendment requires employers to provide paid leave in addition to annual paid leave under the Labor Standards Act when workers receive infectious disease vaccines, and prohibits unfavorable treatment due to taking paid leave. It also includes provisions that prohibit dismissal during the relevant period, thereby institutionally guaranteeing vaccine leave.

Representative Kim said, "People are anxious due to immune responses such as fever and muscle pain after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine," and added, "If 'vaccine leave' is introduced ahead of nationwide vaccination, it will send a message that the state takes responsibility from vaccination to rest, giving the public confidence in the vaccine and increasing the vaccination rate."

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