'Mobile School Vaccination' Started but...Low Youth Applications Cause 'Difficulties'

Among Seoul Schools, Only 2 Have 50+ Students Requesting On-Site Vaccination... Full-Scale Efforts Delayed
Parental Opposition Persists... Administrative Lawsuits Filed Against Vaccine Pass
Experts Say "School Response Difficult, May Worsen Vaccine Perception"

On the afternoon of the 16th, a "School-based Vaccination Program" was held in the auditorium of a middle school in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, where students wishing to be vaccinated received the COVID-19 vaccine. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Although the government officially launched the 'Visiting School Vaccination' program on the 16th, it is facing difficulties as many schools have canceled vaccinations due to low application rates. In addition, issues such as unconfirmed vaccination schedules and methods, as well as a shortage of medical personnel, have emerged, leading to criticism that preparations were insufficient before implementation.

Prior to the full-scale implementation, the Ministry of Education conducted a survey over about six days through a self-diagnosis app to assess the willingness and preferred methods for the 'Visiting Vaccination' program. However, in the Seoul area, it was revealed that most schools did not meet the usual criterion that at least 50 students must wish for on-site vaccination for medical staff to visit. According to the demand survey results identified by the Ministry of Education, the number of students per school in Seoul elementary, middle, and high schools wishing for 'Visiting Vaccination' was mostly between 1 and 10, accounting for 952 schools (82.5%).

Following that, the numbers were △'11?20 students' at 146 schools (12.7%), △'21?30 students' at 31 schools (2.7%), △'31?40 students' at 18 schools (1.6%), and △'41?50 students' at 5 schools (0.4%). Only two schools out of approximately 1,150 applicant schools in Seoul had 51 or more students wishing for vaccination. Consequently, the visiting vaccinations in Seoul schools have been postponed and are scheduled to begin in earnest next week.

The low application rate for 'Visiting Vaccination' is largely attributed to widespread vaccine hesitancy among students. Do Mo (50), a parent of a sixth-grade elementary student, said, "It's not that hospitals are scarce, but people hesitate to get vaccinated because they don't trust the vaccine's safety," adding, "I don't feel that visiting vaccination is a particularly helpful measure."

Parental opposition remains strong. On the morning of the 17th, organizations such as the Coalition for Private Education and the National Parents' Association filed a lawsuit requesting the cancellation and suspension of the government's vaccination proof and negative test confirmation policy (the quarantine pass). They held a press conference in front of the Seoul Administrative Court, claiming that "the quarantine pass policy infringes on adolescents' bodily freedom, general freedom of action, right to learn, and the business rights of private academies." Additionally, petitions opposing the youth quarantine pass continue to be submitted, reflecting ongoing resistance.

By leaving the visiting vaccination process to local regions and school conditions, the vaccination schedule and methods have become more complicated. Most metropolitan and provincial education offices expect that more time will be needed to finalize detailed plans before fully implementing school-level vaccinations. It is pointed out that actual demand surveys must be conducted and consultations with local governments regarding vaccination methods must take place.

A shortage of medical personnel for vaccinations has also caused disruptions in visiting vaccinations. According to the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education, vaccinations began on the 16th at an elementary school in Yeonji-dong, Busanjin-gu, but visiting vaccinations were canceled in 15 other districts due to a lack of health authorities' personnel.

Most medical teams responsible for vaccination were disbanded after vaccination centers in 14 districts, excluding Busanjin-gu and Sasang-gu, closed on October 30. However, Busanjin-gu’s vaccination center closed the latest on November 30, allowing the medical team from the center to be mobilized for this visiting vaccination.

Experts have suggested that 'Visiting Vaccination' is not an effective method in terms of safety.

Professor Eom Jung-sik, an infectious disease specialist at Gachon University Gil Medical Center, explained, "While I understand the intention to vaccinate many students within a short period, I do not think it is an ideal method. Schools are not medical institutions like vaccination centers, and it is more difficult to respond if students show adverse reactions such as anaphylaxis."

He added, "There is concern that problems could reinforce negative perceptions of vaccines. It would be more effective to give students time, like providing vaccine leave, and allow them to get vaccinated at nearby entrusted medical institutions."

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