Vaccine Reservations for Grades 6 to 12 Start October 5: "Benefits Outweigh Risks" (Comprehensive)

Reservations for Ages 16-17 from October 5, Vaccinations from October 18
Reservations for Ages 12-15 from October 18, Vaccinations from November 1
Individual Online and Phone Reservations, Parental Consent Required at Vaccination
"Benefits of Vaccination Outweigh Risks for Healthy Adolescents"

On the 27th, as the spread of COVID-19 continues, citizens who received vaccines are waiting in the adverse reaction monitoring area at the vaccination center set up in Bukahyeon Cultural and Sports Center, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 12 to 17, corresponding to grades 6 through 12, will begin on October 18. Parents must provide consent and make individual reservations, and attendance will be recognized up to two days after vaccination. The government stated that while the benefits outweigh the risks such as side effects, individuals can choose whether to receive the vaccine based on their health conditions.

On the 27th, the Ministry of Education and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced that vaccinations for 2.77 million people born between 2004 and 2009 will start on October 18.

Unlike the previous group of 12th graders who were surveyed at school and vaccinated in groups at vaccination centers, youths aged 12 to 17 must individually reserve their preferred vaccination site. After consulting with guardians and obtaining consent, they can access the COVID-19 vaccination reservation system during the pre-reservation period to book vaccination at a local medical institution of their choice.

Vaccination Reservation and Schedule for Ages 12 to 17

Vaccine reservations and vaccinations will be conducted by age groups. The pre-reservation schedule is as follows: for ages 16-17 (born 2004-2005), from October 5 at 8 PM to October 29 at 6 PM; for ages 12-15 (born 2006-2009), from October 18 at 8 PM to November 12 at 6 PM. Out-of-school youths will follow the same schedule.

The first dose vaccination schedule is: for ages 16-17, from October 18 to November 13; for ages 12-15, from November 1 to 27. Since vaccinations are based on birth year, 6th graders born in 2010 are excluded from the vaccination target.

The second dose will be administered three weeks after the first dose. A Ministry of Education official stated, "The interval between the first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine is 3 to 6 weeks, and at this point, we plan to proceed with the second dose at a 3-week interval." They added, "It is difficult to predict the COVID-19 vaccination participation rate, but previous influenza vaccination participation was around 60-70%."

Parental consent is required for children and adolescents aged 12 to 17 to receive the vaccine. A consent form must be brought at the time of vaccination. While pre-reservations are made online, those who have difficulty using the internet can make reservations by calling 1339. Guardians can also make proxy reservations via the call center. Vaccination with leftover doses is allowed but only after the official vaccination start date of October 18 and only with the Pfizer vaccine.

Children and adolescents aged 12 to 17 will receive both doses just like adults. The UK recommends only the first dose. Choi Eun-hwa, Chair of the Vaccination Expert Committee, explained, "Children and adolescents receive the same dosage of the Pfizer vaccine as adults."

"High Severe Disease Prevention Rate Among Vaccinated 12th Graders... Vaccination Benefits Greater for Youth Without Underlying Conditions"

The government emphasized that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks but left the decision to individuals. Positive indicators were presented, showing that the vaccine effectiveness among vaccinated 12th-grade students was 95.8%, with 100% prevention of severe illness or death.

Kim Yeo-hyang, Social Cooperation Director of the Korean Pediatric Cardiology Society, said, "With the surge in cases due to the Delta variant, the number of confirmed cases among vaccinated 12th graders at schools has significantly decreased, while cases among 10th and 11th graders at the same schools have increased." She added, "Among the vaccinated 12th graders, five cases of myocarditis and pericarditis were treated as outpatients, and ten were hospitalized; all recovered and were discharged."

The government recommends vaccination for youths without underlying conditions but does not strongly enforce it. Chair Choi Eun-hwa stated, "For healthy children and adolescents without underlying conditions, when weighing the risks of COVID-19 against the known benefits of vaccination, social and emotional benefits, and potential risks or adverse reactions, the benefits outweigh the risks for ages 12 to 17. However, since the margin is not overwhelming, the Vaccination Expert Committee and the government recommend vaccination but do not strongly insist on it."

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said, "About 25 children per 100,000, or 0.03%, have progressed to severe illness. If the COVID-19 outbreak continues, children and adolescents are at risk of exposure, and increased exposure could lead to more severe cases and complications. Considering psychological issues from isolation or infection and the impact on school attendance, vaccination is deemed appropriate, and a fourth dose plan has been prepared."

The government has no immediate plans to vaccinate children under 12. Director Jung explained, "There are no approved vaccines for those under 12, so vaccination is not being considered at this time. Future clinical and epidemiological data and case developments will be reviewed."

Vaccination for adolescents is also underway overseas. In the US, about 42% of 12-15-year-olds have completed two doses. The UK recommends one dose for all adolescents and has administered about 900,000 first doses. Germany's vaccination rate for ages 12-17 is about 31.4%. Japan, Germany, Canada, France, and others also recommend vaccination for youths aged 12 and older.

Attendance Recognized Until Two Days After Vaccination

During the vaccination period, school operations will continue according to existing social distancing levels. Attendance will be recognized on the day of vaccination, the following day, and up to two days after vaccination. Since the two days after vaccination include holidays, if vaccinated on a Friday without adverse reactions, students can return to school on Monday. If adverse reactions persist beyond three days, attendance will be excused with a doctor's note.

The Ministry of Education has allocated four weeks for vaccination and encourages scheduling to avoid conflicts with midterm and final exams. However, if vaccination coincides with exam schedules, recognition points will be granted according to regional academic performance management guidelines and school regulations. If vaccinated during evaluation periods, a doctor's note or other verification is required for attendance recognition on the first and second days after vaccination.

Education authorities reiterated that there should be no discrimination or coercion related to vaccination at schools. Lee Sang-soo, Director of School Innovation Support at the Ministry of Education, said, "Since vaccination is optional based on student and parent decisions, schools and regional education offices have been instructed not to investigate who has been vaccinated or provide benefits to vaccinated students to prevent discrimination." He added, "Precautions, side effects, and response measures will be communicated in advance, and education offices and the Ministry will respond promptly through hotlines if adverse reactions occur."

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