Slowdown in Vaccine Reservation Rate Increase... Authorities Review Improvement Plans Including Incentives (Update)

"Elderly face difficulties with online reservations"… Struggling to increase reservation rates

On the morning of the 3rd, a medical worker at Yongsan-gu Public Health Center in Seoul is aliquoting the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The reservation rate for COVID-19 vaccinations among the elderly aged 60 and over in the second quarter of this year is slowing down over time. The government recognizes that the elderly are having difficulties with online reservations and plans to prepare related improvement measures next week. Additionally, it has begun reviewing incentives to increase the vaccination rate.

On the 20th, Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' quarantine team, stated at the COVID-19 briefing, "Since advance reservations are open until June 3, there is still time, but the elderly find it difficult to make reservations by themselves. Although reservations are also accepted through call centers, the increase is gradual."

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, as of midnight on the same day, the vaccination reservation rate for seniors aged 60 to 74 exceeded half at 50.1%. However, the speed of increase in reservation rates has slowed, with 42.9% on the 17th, 47.2% on the 18th, and 49.5% on the 19th. By age group, those aged 70-74 had a rate of 62.2%, 65-69 at 55.1%, and 60-64 at 39.7%.

Yoon said, "For those aged 75 and over, reservations were made by visiting individually to confirm their intention, so the reservation rate was high. Currently, since the elderly make reservations by themselves, the speed is somewhat slower. We are monitoring the speed until this week and internally discussing measures to improve and accelerate it from next week." He added, "We are listening to various voices from the field, including various incentives, and will actively guide measures to increase the reservation rate by organizing all suggestions."

Son Young-rae, head of the social strategy team at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, also explained, "Online reservations account for only the 40% range, while call center or community center visit reservations make up the majority. Since phone or visit reservations are not possible on weekends and holidays, the speed tends to slow down."

Meanwhile, as vaccinations in nursing hospitals and facilities have progressed significantly, the previously announced guidelines regarding direct visits are expected to be released within this week. Yoon said, "We plan to announce the guidelines related to visits to nursing hospitals and facilities tomorrow (21st) or Sunday (23rd)."

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