Opposition to Youth Quarantine Pass Expansion Petition... Jeong Eun-kyung "Vaccine Prevention Effect Is Clear"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Jeong Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), appealed for participation by stating that "the preventive effect of vaccines is certain" in response to a Blue House petition opposing the expansion of the vaccine pass requirement to include adolescents.

On the 10th, Director Jeong responded to two Blue House petitions opposing the application of the vaccine pass and its expansion to adolescents, expressing this view.

Earlier, a petitioner who identified themselves as a high school student opposed the government's vaccine pass policy, citing numerous breakthrough infections and stating that even after vaccination, one cannot feel safe. This petition garnered 330,000 supporters.

Additionally, many petitions opposing the government's announcement to expand the vaccine pass to adolescents starting February next year were posted. Although these petitions have not yet reached 200,000 supporters, Director Jeong stated, "I want to provide a sufficient response today," and took it upon herself to reply.

Director Jeong said, "We understand that some people have doubts about the effectiveness of vaccination," but emphasized, "The preventive effect of vaccination is clear. Vaccination not only reduces the risk of infection but also has about a 90% effectiveness in preventing severe illness and death."

She added, "Since it has been confirmed that the vaccine's effectiveness decreases over time after completion of vaccination, we have started the third dose. As vaccine effectiveness is waning especially among the elderly, prompt administration of the third dose is necessary."

Referring to the global implementation of the third vaccine dose, she said, "We ask for active participation for the safety of yourself and your family. Along with the third dose, we repeatedly urge unvaccinated individuals to get vaccinated."

Regarding adolescent vaccination, some have argued that since severe cases are rare, vaccination may not be necessary. In response, she emphasized the need for vaccination, stating, "The COVID-19 infection rate among adolescents aged 12 to 17 per 100,000 increased sharply from 110 in August to 234 in November, more than doubling in a short period." She also mentioned that 99.8% of adolescent confirmed cases were unvaccinated, and all 11 severe cases were among the unvaccinated.

Director Jeong explained, "Adolescent vaccination has shown clear preventive effects. The infection rate among high school seniors, who have a second-dose vaccination rate exceeding 90%, is more than three times lower than that of middle school students, whose second-dose vaccination rate is only 18%."

Regarding adverse reactions to vaccination, she stated, "The Pfizer vaccine currently administered to adolescents has been confirmed for safety and efficacy not only in Korea but also in the United States and Europe." She emphasized, "Countries that started adolescent vaccination earlier, such as Singapore, Canada, France, and Japan, have completed second doses for over 70% of their adolescent populations." She also added that most adolescents who reported adverse reactions recovered quickly.

She also promised compensation for adverse reactions, saying, "The government has expanded compensation for COVID-19 vaccination to include general adverse reactions and mild cases," and added, "We understand the concerns of parents worried that their children might suffer adverse reactions after vaccination. We will thoroughly review and re-examine to ensure vaccinations can be administered with greater confidence."

Regarding the expansion of the vaccine pass to adolescents, she said, "We will fully listen to the opinions of parents, students, and those on the ground and prepare detailed implementation plans to alleviate anxiety and inconvenience," emphasizing, "Our government's encouragement of vaccination and the vaccine pass are the minimum quarantine measures to protect our society from the COVID-19 pandemic."

Director Jeong concluded, "Through the four-week special quarantine measures and vaccination, we hope to overcome the current crisis and move toward a phased recovery of daily life. We ask the public to trust the government and unite once again." She urged, "Only by relying on each other can we create new safety."

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