Additional 1,393,000 Doses of Moderna Vaccine Arrive... "Achieving 70% Vaccination Rate Before Chuseok" (Comprehensive)

Increase in Weekly Average Daily COVID-19 Cases in the Capital Area... "We Must Not Let Our Guard Down"

On the 6th, 2,552,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine arrived at Incheon Airport via cargo plane. Including the doses that have been sequentially introduced since the 23rd of last month and the doses that arrived on this day, the total reached 6,759,000 doses. This corresponds to 96.4% of the 7.01 million doses that Moderna initially announced it would supply over two weeks. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Approximately 1,393,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from the U.S. pharmaceutical company Moderna are arriving today.

Kang Do-tae, the 1st Chief Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH), stated in his opening remarks at the CDSCH meeting on the 7th, "About 1,393,000 doses of Moderna's vaccine are scheduled to arrive today," adding, "Since August 23, approximately 8,152,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine have been introduced."

Moderna had previously announced that due to issues at their manufacturing site, they would supply less than half of the 8.5 million doses scheduled for August, but after a protest visit by our government, they promised to supply 7.01 million doses by the first week of September.

As of the day before, 6,759,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine had been supplied, and including today's arrival, a total of 8,152,000 doses will have been delivered.

Kang, the 1st Chief Coordinator, said, "As of yesterday, the number of people who have received the first dose of the vaccine exceeded 30 million, reaching 30.74 million, which corresponds to 59.9% of the entire population and 69.6% of the adult population aged 18 and over." He added, "The government will make every effort to ensure smooth vaccine importation, streamline vaccine transportation systems, and manage safe vaccine distribution to achieve a 70% first-dose vaccination rate before Chuseok."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Additionally, the government urged that the expansion of private gathering limits under the new social distancing measures starting this week should not be interpreted as a signal of easing quarantine measures.

Kang, the 1st Chief Coordinator, emphasized, "This adjustment to social distancing measures was prepared by comprehensively reviewing the ongoing 4th wave situation, the effects of expanded vaccination, and the upcoming Chuseok holiday," adding, "In particular, adjustments to the number of people allowed in private gatherings and business hours at restaurants are minimal measures to alleviate the pain and sacrifice of small business owners and should never be seen as a signal of easing quarantine."

He explained that the current quarantine situation is one where vigilance cannot be relaxed even slightly.

Kang said, "Although the number of new confirmed cases decreased by 1.8 percentage points compared to the previous week, the weekly average number of confirmed cases in the metropolitan area actually increased by 3.9 percentage points compared to the previous week, setting a new record," adding, "There continue to be large and small cluster infections in workplaces, multi-use facilities, and educational institutions."

He expressed concern, saying, "This new four-week social distancing period will be the most critical turning point to move one step closer to 'gradual daily recovery.' With the expansion of attendance for elementary, middle, and high school students starting this week, university openings, and increased movement in preparation for the Chuseok holiday, there is a possibility of a rise in confirmed cases again."

He continued, "If vigilance in quarantine decreases and the number of confirmed cases rises again, the goal we all share?to control the scale of outbreaks while accelerating vaccination to move toward daily recovery?could be threatened," urging, "Please always follow basic quarantine rules such as wearing masks, washing hands, and regular ventilation, and strictly adhere to the adjusted social distancing guidelines."

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