Government Reviews 'Booster Shot Incentives'... Citizens Ask, "How Long Must We Keep Getting Additional Shots?"

Government "Considering Additional Incentives for Those Who Completed 3rd Vaccination"
Experts "Benefits Should Be Given to Feel Like Incentives"

On the morning of the 13th, when the mandatory vaccination pass was implemented, a student is showing a COVID-19 vaccination certificate at the entrance of Yonsei University Central Library in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] As the government announced on the 15th that it is considering introducing incentives to encourage the third dose (booster shot) of the COVID-19 vaccine, confusion is arising among citizens. Although the government has not yet revealed specific plans regarding the incentives, people who have completed the basic vaccinations (1st and 2nd doses) express frustration, feeling that they are being disadvantaged despite not being unvaccinated amid concerns about side effects.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated at a regular briefing that morning, "We are reviewing whether it is possible to provide additional incentives to those who have received the third dose by considering various opinions."

Son said, "Basically, incentives currently operate based on the second dose across various areas. An incentive structure is fundamentally in place to facilitate smoother access to events and other activities centered around the quarantine pass (vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system)," adding, "We are currently reviewing additional incentives for those who receive the third dose in addition to completing the second dose." He further explained, "However, since the validity period of the quarantine pass is set to six months, the intention is to extend incentives for those who have completed the third dose."

The Democratic Party of Korea also announced that it is actively considering measures to provide incentives to those who have received the third dose. Park Wan-joo, chairman of the Policy Committee, said at a press briefing held at the National Assembly on the 14th, "The party is considering giving incentives because the third dose vaccination rate is too low. The government also agreed," adding, "We have proposed various ideas to the government, and I think the method will be announced later." It is known that prominent incentives being discussed include exempting those who have completed the third dose from private gathering limits or providing monetary benefits.

Medical staff administering COVID-19 vaccinations.
Photo by Yonhap News

However, some citizens who have completed the second dose expressed discomfort about this. Despite having completed the second dose amid concerns about vaccine safety, they point out that they are practically no different from unvaccinated individuals. While the aim is to increase the third dose vaccination rate as COVID-19 breakthrough infections occur and the spread intensifies, there are also complaints about how long additional doses will be required.

Kim, a 28-year-old office worker who completed the second dose, said, "It's called an incentive, but it's basically a disadvantage for those who haven't received the booster shot. It's essentially forcing additional vaccinations every three months (the booster shot interval)," adding, "Even if I get the third dose, honestly, I don't know how many more times I will have to get vaccinated in the future."

Previously, the government uniformly shortened the booster shot interval from 4-6 months depending on age groups to 3 months (90 days) starting from the 10th. Accordingly, anyone aged 18 or older who has passed 3 months since their second dose (or first dose for the Janssen vaccine) can make a reservation and receive the booster shot.

The government continues to emphasize that the third dose is necessary to curb the spread of COVID-19. Kwon Deok-cheol, first deputy head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), urged at a meeting on the 13th, "Vaccination, especially the third dose, is the most effective safety measure in the fight against COVID-19," and requested, "Please get vaccinated promptly."

Citizens waiting for their turn for testing at a temporary screening clinic set up at the Songpa-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

However, a considerable number of citizens still hesitate to receive the third dose due to ongoing concerns about vaccine safety and side effects. Lim, a 29-year-old office worker, said, "I experienced body aches and headaches after both the first and second doses. But now I have to get the third dose again?who wouldn't feel disheartened?" adding, "Getting the basic vaccinations was already very difficult, and now suddenly they say they will give incentives to those who get the third dose, making me feel like they are continuously forcing vaccinations, which causes resistance."

Experts acknowledge that the third dose is definitely effective in preventing COVID-19 but express concerns about the approach of forcing vaccination.

Professor Cheon Eun-mi of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Ewha Mokdong Hospital said, "It is true that getting the booster shot helps prevent Omicron and is effective in prevention," but added, "Although the government has not yet announced what incentives will be given for the third dose, it could be burdensome for those who have experienced vaccine side effects or those who cannot get vaccinated due to circumstances. It was said that vaccination would end after the second dose, but now additional doses may be required continuously, and I think the government might be forcing vaccination too much."

On the other hand, some believe that booster shots are inevitable. Professor Eom Jung-sik of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Gachon University Gil Medical Center said, "If booster shots are necessary to prevent infectious diseases, people have no choice but to get vaccinated. Even after the second dose, the preventive effect decreases over time, and confirmed cases continue to surge," adding, "However, there is a problem with how the government encourages vaccination. The government keeps using the quarantine pass as a strategy to increase vaccination rates, but the recent youth quarantine pass only caused backlash. Strictly speaking, the quarantine pass cannot be considered an incentive. They need to provide benefits that people can actually feel as incentives."

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