"360,000 Vaccinated Over Five Days"... High Demand for Second Dose of Remaining Vaccines

3000 People 'Fully Vaccinated' with Remaining Vaccines on Chuseok Day

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The second dose of the COVID-19 vaccination using leftover vaccines is gaining high popularity. Since the 17th, including the Chuseok holiday, more than 360,000 people have completed their second dose using leftover vaccines within five days.

According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team on the 22nd, from the 17th to the previous day, 363,129 people received their second dose of leftover vaccines through same-day rapid reservation services on Naver and Kakao applications or through medical institutions' standby lists.

On the first day when the second dose using leftover vaccines was allowed, 231,000 people were recorded, and on the following day, the 18th, 120,849 people participated. On the 19th, when the Chuseok holiday was in full swing, 6,100 people, on the 20th, 3,161 people, and on the 21st, 2,919 people were counted. This number is nearly three times the 4,074 people who received their first dose using leftover vaccines after the 19th. It is expected that the number of second dose vaccinations using leftover vaccines will surge once the Chuseok holiday ends and entrusted medical institutions resume normal operations.

This popularity appears to reflect the strong will to complete COVID-19 vaccination quickly. Currently, messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccines such as Pfizer and Moderna have a 6-week interval between the first and second doses. Initially, Pfizer recommended a 3-week interval and Moderna a 4-week interval, but due to vaccine supply issues, the interval was extended and has not been shortened again. When using leftover vaccines, it is possible to receive the vaccination according to the originally recommended schedule, which is why many people are rushing to complete their vaccination as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, the government aims to raise the vaccination rate beyond the initial target after achieving the goal of "70% first dose vaccination for the entire population" before the Chuseok holiday. Authorities stated, "We will encourage vaccination by increasing incentives for those who have completed vaccination and aim to raise the vaccination rate to around 80%."

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