More Vaccines Available, So Choice Possible?…Government Says "Difficult to Grant Individual Choice" (Update)

"Rapid and Efficient Nationwide Vaccination is Important"

Pfizer Additional Contract Doses to be Introduced from Q3
"Vaccinations to be Administered Faster and More Than Existing Plans"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] As the government announced that it has secured a total of 99 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, voices calling for granting individuals the right to choose their vaccine to improve vaccination rates are emerging. However, the government has reaffirmed its position that granting such choice is difficult.

On the 26th, Kim Ki-nam, Head of the COVID-19 Vaccination Management Division at the COVID-19 Vaccination Promotion Task Force, stated during a Q&A session following the Prime Minister's Acting National Address, "Given the volume of vaccines being introduced, we must rapidly vaccinate the entire population within a short period." He explained, "Therefore, vaccinations are being conducted by prioritizing based on vulnerability and risk of infection. To promote nationwide vaccination more quickly and efficiently, we believe it is necessary to continue the system where vaccines are determined for each target group through the Vaccination Expert Committee rather than granting individuals the right to choose their vaccine."

Currently, COVID-19 vaccines are administered according to the type designated for each target group. For example, those aged 75 and older receive the Pfizer vaccine, while airline crew members receive the AstraZeneca vaccine. It is not possible for individuals to specify the type of vaccine they receive.

Earlier, on the 24th, the government, having secured some relief by signing an additional contract for 20 million doses of Pfizer vaccine, plans to accelerate vaccinations through timely vaccine introduction. Lee Ki-il, Head of the Government-wide Vaccine Procurement Task Force (TF) Support Team, said, "In the first half of the year, 18.09 million doses are confirmed for introduction, which is sufficient for 12 million people to be vaccinated, with about 4 million able to receive a second dose. If all 2.71 million doses from Novavax, Janssen, and Moderna planned for the first half are confirmed, the total could reach up to 20.8 million doses."

He added, "The Pfizer doses introduced this time are scheduled to be delivered in the third and fourth quarters. The existing vaccination plan needs to be revised, but it is a plan that allows for faster and greater vaccination coverage."

As the proportion of Pfizer vaccines increases, the number of institutions capable of administering the Pfizer vaccine will also expand. Kim said, "The storage condition for Pfizer has changed to allow storage between -15°C and -25°C for two weeks. Basically, we will maintain the current vaccination system through regional vaccination centers and strengthen the vaccination system by selecting medical institutions that meet the conditions for administering the Pfizer vaccine among existing medical institutions."

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