After the Suspension of the Youth Quarantine Pass, the Increase in Youth Vaccination Rates Slows Down

January 4-6 First Dose Completion Rate Increased by 0.6%p
About One-Third Compared to January 28-30 a Week Earlier

On the first day of the quarantine pass validity period being applied, the 3rd, citizens are checking the validity status of their quarantine passes at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Jongno-gu, Seoul. From today, if the validity period expires, it will be difficult to use multi-use facilities such as museums, karaoke rooms, and movie theaters. In this case, unless a negative PCR test certificate is submitted, a third vaccination must be received for the quarantine pass to be valid. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Since the court's decision to suspend the enforcement of the youth quarantine pass, the increase in vaccinations has been slowing down.

According to the Ministry of Education on the 6th, the first-dose vaccination completion rate for children and adolescents (ages 13-18) increased by 0.6 percentage points on the 4th and 6th. Compared to the 1.9 percentage point increase in the first-dose vaccination rate on the 28th and 30th of last month, a week earlier, this is only about one-third of that.

As of midnight on the 6th, the first-dose COVID-19 vaccination completion rate for children and adolescents (ages 13-18) was 76.2%, and the second-dose completion rate was 54%. Two days earlier, as of midnight on the 4th, the rates were 75.6% for the first dose and 52.1% for the second dose.

As of midnight on the 28th, a week earlier, the first-dose completion rate was 71.1%, and the second dose was 47.8%. As of midnight on the 30th, the first-dose completion rate was 73.0%, and the second dose was 49.1%. Before the announcement to postpone the implementation of the youth quarantine pass by one month, the increase in vaccination rates was much larger.

The court's decision to suspend the enforcement of the youth quarantine pass is also interpreted as having influenced the slowdown in the vaccination rate increase. On the 4th, the Seoul Administrative Court accepted a request to suspend the enforcement of the quarantine pass applied to youth-use facilities such as academies and study rooms.

Regarding this, a Ministry of Education official said, "It is difficult to make a definitive statement at this time, but the vaccination rate increased by 0.3 percentage points over two days, the 5th and 6th," adding, "We will observe changes in the vaccination rate and provide updates later."

The Ministry of Education official also said about countermeasures if the main lawsuit related to the quarantine pass is prolonged, "The quarantine authorities are taking the lead in responding. The Ministry of Education will also discuss and share progress with the quarantine authorities."

At a briefing the previous day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye said, "We will discuss the operation method of the quarantine pass within the overall quarantine system together with the quarantine authorities, considering the main lawsuit," and added, "Youth vaccinations will continue to be encouraged and information provided as before, regardless of the court ruling (suspension of enforcement)."

Meanwhile, separate from the decision to suspend the enforcement of the youth quarantine pass, a hearing on the application to suspend the effectiveness of the quarantine pass by 1,023 current doctors and others will be held on the 7th.

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