Baek Gyeong-ran, Director of KDCA, Participates in Winter Booster Vaccination... "Now is the Right Time for Vaccination"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Baek Kyung-ran, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), participated in the winter season vaccination using the bivalent vaccine on the 14th at 2 p.m.

The KDCA announced that Commissioner Baek visited Hana Hospital in Cheongju, Chungbuk, received an additional COVID-19 vaccination for the winter season, and expressed gratitude to the medical staff.

The health authorities are currently conducting additional winter vaccinations mainly with three types of vaccines: Moderna and Pfizer based on BA.1, and Pfizer bivalent vaccine based on BA.4/5. Vaccinations with the BA.4/5-based vaccine started on this day.

Commissioner Baek said, "We conducted vaccinations on the same day so that the public can participate in the winter vaccination with confidence," and urged, "Those at high risk of severe illness or death, especially the elderly aged 60 and above, residents and users of infection-vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals and care facilities, and those with underlying health conditions, should definitely participate in the vaccination."

He continued, "Now, when the outbreak is increasing, is the right time for vaccination, and getting vaccinated now will greatly help the elderly safely get through this winter season's outbreak," adding, "We will promptly organize and provide the latest information on the effectiveness and safety of the vaccination so that people can participate based on sufficient information."

As of midnight on the 14th, the winter additional vaccination rate for those aged 60 and above is 11.6% of the eligible population, and the vaccination rate for infection-vulnerable facilities is also around 9.0%.

The winter additional vaccination targets are those aged 18 and above who have completed the primary vaccination series (1st and 2nd doses), and can receive the vaccination if 120 days have passed since their last vaccination or confirmed infection. Those who have completed the 3rd or 4th doses are also included in the target group.

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