Overseas Vaccine Recipients to Receive Equivalent Recognition of Effectiveness Domestically

Incentives for Vaccinated Individuals Same as Domestic Recipients
Including Sinopharm and Sinovac Vaccinees

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The incentives for overseas COVID-19 vaccine recipients, currently applied only to quarantine exemptions upon entry, will be expanded to the same level as those for domestic vaccine recipients.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated at the regular briefing of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters held on the morning of the 5th, "The government is considering a plan to recognize the vaccination records of overseas vaccine recipients as equivalent to those of domestic vaccine recipients and to issue certificates accordingly." He added, "Initially, vaccination certificates will be issued and registered in the vaccination system for those who have received quarantine exemption certificates upon entry among overseas vaccine recipients, U.S. Forces Korea personnel who have completed vaccination domestically or abroad, and the diplomatic corps in Korea and their families."

These individuals can visit public health centers and present their overseas vaccination proof and quarantine exemption certificates to have their vaccination records registered in the domestic vaccination system and receive certificates (paper or electronic). Accordingly, from the 7th, vaccination history verification will be possible using the vaccination certification system 'CooV'. This will allow vaccinated individuals to enjoy incentives such as exceptions from private gathering size restrictions.

The health authorities plan to promptly establish a recognition plan for vaccination records for Korean nationals who have been vaccinated overseas but entered without quarantine exemption certificates. For foreigners, detailed plans will be prepared in connection with the phased recovery plan for daily life from COVID-19.

The vaccines recognized for vaccination history are currently the six vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (WHO): AstraZeneca (including Covishield), Pfizer, Moderna, Janssen, Sinopharm, and Sinovac. The Sputnik vaccine is not included.

Among these, Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines have not yet been approved domestically but are included in the recognized vaccines. Regarding this, Son Young-rae explained, "When reviewing the quarantine exemption system upon entry, the WHO's officially approved vaccines were used as the standard vaccines to introduce the quarantine exemption system, and this system will be introduced first to provide the same incentives as domestic vaccine recipients, focusing on WHO-approved vaccines."

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