KDCA: "Confusion in Pfizer Vaccination Pre-Booking for Some Company Employees in Q2... Will Cancel" (Update)

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Starting from the 7th, advance reservations for COVID-19 vaccination for those under 30 among the second-quarter vaccination targets, including medical institution and pharmacy workers and essential social personnel, began. However, controversy arose as some office workers who were not eligible also managed to make reservations.

The quarantine authorities decided to cancel the reservations of those who were not eligible and notify them individually via text message.

On the 7th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) explained in a press release, "In the advance vaccination reservations, medical institution workers include not only healthcare professionals but also general staff, so we used the list of workplace subscribers. However, unlike general medical institutions, in the case of affiliated clinics of workplaces, we failed to confirm that the list included workers who were not clinic staff but business operators, which caused confusion including general office workers."

They added, "For those who completed reservations despite not being eligible, we will cancel their reservations and notify them individually via text message. For affiliated clinics among medical institutions, we will separately investigate the actual eligible individuals and register them accordingly."

The advance vaccination reservations starting from this day are for those under 30 years old (born after January 1, 1992) among the second-quarter vaccination targets, excluding AstraZeneca vaccine recipients.

The targets include medical institution and pharmacy workers, essential social personnel (police, firefighters, coast guard, etc.), residents and workers in vulnerable facilities, chronic kidney disease patients, kindergarten, daycare, and elementary school (grades 1-2) teachers and caregivers.

However, on this day, a spectacle unfolded as employees in their 20s working at some companies and institutions such as Samsung Electronics successfully made reservations for the Pfizer vaccine through the COVID-19 vaccination advance reservation system, leading many young office workers to rush to make reservations.

The KDCA stated, "We ask for your understanding regarding the confusion caused," and added, "Reservations for other eligible groups are proceeding smoothly, and if excess demand is confirmed due to early closure of reservations, additional reservations and vaccinations will be conducted in July."

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