Authorities "Trying to Move Up Additional Reservations for Ages 55-59 Before the 19th... Considering Sequential Reservations" (Comprehensive)

Measures to Prevent Early Closure for Ages 50-54... "Cannot Disclose Vaccine Supply"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The government apologized for the early closure of the COVID-19 vaccination pre-registration for those aged 55-59 the previous day and is planning to advance the pre-registration schedule, which will resume on the 19th, as much as possible.

At the regular briefing of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 13th, the Central Disease Control Headquarters stated, "Moderna vaccines are being introduced weekly, and there may be variability in the supply during July, which caused the early closure of pre-registration the previous day," adding, "We sincerely apologize and ask for your understanding for not notifying in advance that the reservation quantity was limited."

Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said, "Vaccinations in July and August will mainly be conducted with Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, and a sufficient quantity will be introduced," and added, "We are making efforts to advance the previously announced resumption date of the pre-registration on the 19th as much as possible." Details regarding the resumption of pre-registration will be announced again within this week.

Lee emphasized, "We will provide reservation opportunities to all people in their 50s who wish to be vaccinated, including those aged 55-59 who could not make a reservation this time, to ensure that vaccinations proceed without any disruption," and added, "Further schedules will be separately announced as soon as they are prepared."

The KDCA reiterated that a sufficient amount of vaccines will be secured in August, and all people in their 50s who wish to be vaccinated will be given the opportunity to make reservations.

Regarding the reason for not disclosing vaccine supply quantities in advance, Park Hye-kyung, head of the Vaccination Implementation Team at the COVID-19 Vaccination Promotion Task Force, said, "Due to confidentiality agreements with manufacturers, supply quantities are disclosed later," and added, "We cannot provide exact information on how much vaccine will arrive before it actually comes in."

Park also stated, "Considering previous reservation rates, we are currently assuming that over 80% of the relevant age group will make reservations," and added, "We are exploring various methods such as sequential reservations to prevent reservation suspension incidents among those aged 50-54."

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