The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KCDC) said it would vaccinate healthcare workers fighting against Covid-19 first and give jabs to the general public in the second half of this year.
The vaccinating priority is aimed to minimize the death toll, given the high fatality rate among the elderly population, and preventing the virus’ spread.
The National Medical Center will give the first jabs to healthcare providers working in the Seoul metro region. Other vaccination facilities in three major regions – central, southeastern and southwestern provinces -- will follow the lead. People staying and working at nursing homes will also receive the jabs ahead of others.
After the first administration of the vaccines, the government will begin giving shots to people over 65 and residents and employers who live in groups at vulnerable facilities such as nursing facilities for the elderly and disabled.
The nation plans to expand the immunization targets to the general public from the third quarter after considering the schedule for introducing the vaccines and the situation in the first half.
In the last quarter, those who have not received the jabs or those needing second shots will receive the vaccines.
The government has signed a contract with COVAX facility, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Pfizer, and Modena to secure various vaccines to immunize 56 million people so far. It is trying to get additional vaccines for 20 million more from Novavax.
KDCA Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong said the health authorities plan to establish a safe distribution system in joint efforts of the private and public sectors and the military to deliver the shots.
SK Bioscience will establish a management system, and Daihan Scientific, Ilshin Biobase, and Thermo Fisher Scientific will be responsible for providing ultra low-temperature freezers.
Regarding the vaccines' transportation, Lieutenant General Park Ju-keong, head of the Covid-19 vaccine transportation team, said that 528 personnel from 57 units would be placed for convoy and support missions.
Police officers will also work at the vaccination center to maintain order and prevent healthcare providers from interfering with the immunization task.
In response to the recent concern over disabled people excluded from receiving the first shots, Commissioner Jeong explained that the government gave the highest priority to those with an increased risk of developing severe symptoms or dying from infection.
However, Jeong added that disabled people living in group facilities are included in the priority order.
“We will provide Covid-19 vaccines according to national plans, so please take the shots to recover the daily life that has been hoped for,” Jeong said. “It takes time for the nation to achieve herd immunity even if we begin to receive the vaccine, so please continue to wear a mask and follow the social distancing measure.”