[사설] Late vaccination, doctors blaming’general strike’ in this situation

AstraZeneca vaccination, the Corona 19 vaccine, will begin on the 26th. Compared to developed countries, the departure is late and there are still many mountains to overcome. It is not known whether the formation of group immunity will be possible until the end of the year, which the government aims for.

In this jurisdiction, an amendment to the medical law to suspend or revoke the licenses of doctors sentenced to imprisonment or higher was unexpectedly ambushed. When the relevant bill passed the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee on the 19th, the medical association said, “If this bill is resolved by the judiciary committee, we will engage in a full-scale struggle, such as a nationwide general strike of doctors.” He warned. In fact, when doctors enter into a group action, there is a concern that there will be a big disruption in vaccination. It is also a big homework to persuade the public so that no vaccination refusal occurs from the first target. First, the outward start seems smooth. According to the Central Defense Response Headquarters, 93.8% of the 366,000 residents and workers under the age of 65 at national nursing hospitals, nursing facilities, and mental care and rehabilitation facilities registered as targets of primary vaccination as of 0 o’clock on the 20th agreed to vaccination. I said it was. However, when vaccination is started, unexpected side effects or backlash may occur. In fact, in a survey conducted by Professor Yu Myung-soon of Seoul National University’s Graduate School of Public Health earlier this month, three out of 10 responded that they would postpone or refuse vaccination.

In order for collective immunity to be formed, virtually 90% of the population needs to be vaccinated, but some experts believe that it will be possible within this year. Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyung said, “About 60-70% of the population must have antibodies to enable collective immunity.” However, the prevention (antibody formation) effect of the five vaccines introduced in Korea varies widely from 62% to 95%. The government said it plans to vaccinate 84% of the population, or 43.55 million people, by the fourth quarter of this year. Israel, the fastest in the world, has also stagnated at 78%. This is because there are about 20% of people in any country who refuse vaccination. For the success of belated vaccination, more detailed preparations and national cooperation are urgent.
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