Over 2 Million People Receive First Vaccine Dose... "3 Million to Be Vaccinated Within This Month"

On the afternoon of the 19th, when AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine administration began at general hospitals as well, workers in professions such as care teachers and nursing assistants were receiving the vaccine at Nasaret General Hospital in Dalseo-gu, Daegu.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] The number of people who have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine has surpassed 2 million. Health authorities have set a goal to increase vaccination capacity further and complete the first dose for over 3 million people within this month.

Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at the regular briefing on the 23rd, "The number of people who have received the COVID-19 vaccination exceeded 2 million as of yesterday." According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, as of midnight on that day, 130,615 people received their first dose, bringing the total number of first-dose vaccinations to 2,035,549.

The cumulative number of first-dose vaccinations surpassing 2 million occurred 56 days after the first vaccinations began on February 26, and 17 days after exceeding 1 million on the 5th. Among these, 1,194,718 people received the AstraZeneca vaccine, and 840,831 received the Pfizer vaccine.

The number of people who have completed the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, which is currently being administered, increased by 18,528 from the previous day to 79,151. The second dose of Pfizer vaccinations slowed after all vaccinations for COVID-19 treatment hospital recipients were completed on the 10th, but starting from the 22nd, the second dose period for seniors aged 75 and older began, showing signs of acceleration in vaccinations.

The government plans to further increase vaccination capacity and complete the first dose for 3 million people within this month. To this end, 29 additional vaccination centers were opened on the 22nd, bringing the total to 204 centers currently in operation, and 53 more centers will be opened on the 29th to further expand vaccination capacity.

Additionally, starting next week, vaccinations will begin for workers at medical institutions and pharmacies, chronic kidney disease patients, police, coast guard, firefighters, and other essential social personnel, which is expected to increase the number of vaccination targets.

Lee Sang-won said, "The average daily number of vaccinations this week is 129,000. Considering the expansion of vaccination targets and the increase in vaccination capacity starting next week, the average daily number of vaccinations is expected to exceed 150,000," adding, "We will make every effort to complete vaccinations for 3 million people within this month and 12 million people in the first half of the year."

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