Target to vaccinate 70% of the population at the end of September (PG)▶ Click here for a larger view
As early as next month, before Chuseok (September 21), about 70% of the Korean population, or 36 million, is expected to complete the first dose of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) vaccine.
In a regular briefing on the 3rd, Kim Ki-nam, head of the vaccination planning division of the COVID-19 vaccination response promotion team, said, “This is an achievable goal considering the vaccination plan and the schedule for supplying vaccines” said.
He further emphasized, “We will start full-scale vaccination by age group from August to September to achieve the first vaccination for 36 million people, which was originally scheduled for the end of September, at an early stage.”
As of 10:20 a.m. on the same day, the number of first cumulative vaccinations was tentatively counted at 20,4,714, surpassing 20 million.
This is the record set on the 159th day since the first vaccination started on February 26th.
Authorities also hinted that ‘social distancing’ could be eased if the goal of the first vaccination before Chuseok was achieved.
Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Division of the Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters, said, “Aiming to ease distance through vaccination is a method already applied in Europe.” said.
However, he said, “It is necessary to confirm whether the vaccination leads to a substantial decrease in patients. Also, since the vaccine takes effect 14 days after the completion of the second inoculation, it is necessary to determine at what point and how much relaxation is needed. We have to look at the situation at the time and make a decision,” he explained.
Director Lee cited the emergence and dominance of mutated viruses as the most threatening factor in the future response to COVID-19.
He said, “Now, due to the delta mutation, the number of patients is skyrocketing again even in countries with high vaccination rates. It is not yet on the decline, and there are still factors that will cause the number of patients to increase again.”
Regarding the fact that the delta mutant virus, which has strong contagious power, has become the dominant species in Korea, he said, “It is known that the delta mutation increases the rate of transmission and inhibits the effectiveness of the vaccine, but it does not mean that the role of the vaccine is reduced.” He said that vaccination is the best response. re-emphasized.
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