The Seoul City 1st Vaccine Regional Vaccination Center in Seongdong-gu Office, Seoul, where construction is underway on the 10th. News 1
The government decided on the 11th to expand the targets of the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine to 65 years of age or older. With this decision, vaccinations will begin at the end of this month when it reaches 376,000 people aged 65 or older who live and work in nursing homes most vulnerable to Corona 19. It is belated, but fortunate, that it has minimized the number of deaths and metastasis to gastric and severe diseases, and that it can prevent the burden of the medical system. It is also encouraging that this decision has eliminated the obstacle to vaccination of the elderly (8.5 million people) over 65, which the government planned for the second quarter.
What is worrisome is that the supply and demand for vaccines is unstable. The government announced that 3.5 million of the AZ vaccine contracts will be introduced from the end of May to June, but considering the supply timing, the actual vaccination is expected to pass into the third quarter. For vaccines such as Modena and Janssen, which were expected to be supplied in the second quarter, the government has not yet revealed the quantity and timing of introduction. Even if the 3 million Pfizers decided to come in April to June are added, the total number of vaccines that will be secured by this time is 4.55 million, which is about half of the number of people eligible for vaccination in the second quarter. The government has said it has secured 79 million vaccines, but most are expected to be available after the third quarter. In order to achieve the goal of achieving collective immunity by inoculating 70% of the population by November, the government will have to devote all its capabilities to securing vaccines early.
News directly edited by the Hankook Ilbo can also be viewed on Naver.
