Booster Shot Interval Shortened to '4 Months' for Elderly and Nursing Hospital Patients, '5 Months' for 50s (Update)

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 response at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City on the morning of the 17th. 2021.11.17 [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] The government has decided to shorten the interval for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots from the existing 6 months to 4 months for seniors aged 60 and over, hospitalized patients in nursing hospitals, and residents of nursing facilities. Additionally, the booster shot interval for people in their 50s has been reduced to 5 months.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum chaired the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on the 17th at the Government Complex Sejong and stated, "The number of critically ill patients exceeds 500, and urgent efforts are needed to protect the safety of the elderly vulnerable to COVID-19." He added, "The infection rate among seniors aged 60 and above has more than doubled compared to a month ago, and they account for about 82% of critically ill patients and 97% of deaths, which is a very serious situation."

Prime Minister Kim said, "With this decision, a total of 13.78 million people will receive additional vaccinations by the end of the year, which is far more than twice the originally planned number." He requested, "For rapid and smooth vaccination progress, we ask for the active participation and cooperation of the public in making reservations." He also urged related ministries and local governments, "Please concentrate all administrative capabilities to ensure that the booster vaccinations proceed swiftly."

Regarding the recent hospital bed situation, Prime Minister Kim expressed concern, saying, "ICU beds are being rapidly depleted. Although the nationwide bed occupancy rate still has some capacity, in the metropolitan area alone, it is becoming increasingly difficult to cope day by day." He added, "The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters has already issued administrative orders to ensure that additional secured beds are prepared as quickly as possible, and daily checks and encouragement of progress at each medical institution are being conducted." He also noted, "The number of ICU beds in use appears to be excessive compared to the actual number of critically ill patients. Please prioritize medical judgment to allocate beds according to patients' conditions and ensure that transfers following improvement are promptly carried out through continuous monitoring and supplementation."

Meanwhile, following the large-scale illegal rally by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions in downtown Seoul last weekend, and with the Public Transport Workers' Union, Cargo Solidarity, and Railway Union planning rallies, Prime Minister Kim requested, "For the sake of the people who are cautiously practicing the difficult stepwise recovery of daily life, we ask the labor sector to make progressive and wise decisions."

With the 2022 college entrance exam just one day away, Prime Minister Kim said, "Not only confirmed cases and those in self-quarantine can take the exam, but also separate exam rooms have been prepared at every test site for examinees showing suspicious symptoms on the exam day." He urged, "The education authorities should cooperate closely with local governments and do their utmost until the end to ensure that examinees can safely take the exam."

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