Daily COVID-19 Vaccinations Return to 600,000 Range... Reservation Rate for Under 40s at 67.9%

On the morning of the 26th, when full-scale vaccination for young and middle-aged adults (18-49 years old) began, a citizen is receiving the Pfizer vaccine at Sarangui Hospital in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. 2021. 8. 26 Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] COVID-19 vaccination for adults aged 18 to 49 has officially begun.

According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team as of midnight yesterday, the cumulative number of first-dose vaccine recipients in South Korea is 27,727,639. This corresponds to 54% of the total domestic population.

The daily number of first-dose vaccinations, which had dropped to the 30,000 range on the 22nd, recorded 370,000 to 390,000 for three consecutive days from the 23rd to the 25th, and then rose again to the 600,000 range on the 26th. As a result, out of a total target population of 7,250,516, 5,739,911 people, or 79.2%, have completed their first dose. This significant increase in vaccinations is due to the start of vaccine administration among young and middle-aged adults under 40.

Among the 15,035,416 eligible individuals aged 18 to 49, 67.9% have scheduled their vaccination appointments. Although this rate falls slightly short of the government's minimum expectation of 70%, the reservation rate is expected to rise as additional bookings are currently underway. Among these reservations, 270,400 people received their first dose on the first day of vaccination, the 26th.

By age group, the reservation rate was highest among those in their 40s at 73.8%, followed by 20s at 67.8%, 18 to 19 years old at 66.2%, and 30s at 61.0%. First-dose vaccinations for those in their 50s have been completed, and those aged 18 to 49 who have not yet made a reservation can do so until 6 p.m. on the 18th of next month. If the vaccination date is scheduled after Chuseok but they wish to move it earlier, they can cancel their existing reservation and reschedule by the 2nd of next month.

Meanwhile, the government has set a goal to complete first-dose vaccinations for 36 million people, or 70% of the entire population (cumulative), before the Chuseok holiday, and to complete second-dose vaccinations by October. The government has also announced plans to consider transitioning to a so-called 'With COVID' quarantine system once 90% of the elderly and over 80% of adults have completed vaccination. 'With COVID' refers to a quarantine system that focuses on managing severe cases rather than suppressing the occurrence of confirmed cases.

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