It is expected that the USFK ROK military support group (KATUSA, KATUSA) will be vaccinated for the first time in Korea in the near future. Koreans living in Austria also get the vaccine in their country of residence. Since Austria is a member of the European Union (EU), it is possible that vaccinations will be conducted in a similar manner in other EU countries.
USFK modena brought in, soon vaccination
Abrams “All members will be right”
European residents “Applying for Vaccination for the Public Soon”
An official from the Ministry of Defense said on the 27th that “we are in discussions with health authorities such as the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding KATUSA Soldier vaccination.” Since KATUSA Soldiers working at US military bases belong to the Army Human Resources Command, prior consultation with the Korean military is required to vaccinate them.
The USFK will be vaccinated this week as early as the Corona 19 vaccine, which was brought in on the 25th. It is a vaccine developed by the US pharmaceutical company Modena, and the initial amount was delivered in 1000 batches (for 500 people). The USFK is planning to vaccinate at Brian Allgood Hospital in Pyeongtaek base (Camp Humphreys). About 40 KATUSA Soldiers are working as medical administrative personnel in this hospital, so there is a possibility that they will receive the vaccination first.
An official from the USFK said, “A specific policy for vaccination will come out on the 28th,” and “As the vaccine comes in sequentially, vaccination will be performed according to priority.” Earlier, USFK Commander Robert Abrams said in a command letter on the 23rd that “Initial vaccination is limited to medical staff and essential personnel according to the guidelines of the US Department of Defense, but additional vaccinations will come to all USFK members in the future.” A USFK official said, “The members identified by the commander include both KATUSA Soldiers and Korean military personnel.”
Koreans residing in the EU are also expected to receive the vaccine sequentially according to priority. Many EU member states, including France, Italy, Spain and Austria, began vaccination on the 27th. The EU has secured 300 million doses of Pfizer vaccine (150 million people).
Kang Jong-won, 33, who lives in Linz, Austria, is a Korean national, but plans to apply for a vaccination for the general public and get the vaccine next April. Kang said on the 26th, “If you have a residence card that proves you live in Austria, you can get the vaccine for free, regardless of domestic or foreign nationals.” The Austrian Ministry of Health will secure more than 16 million doses of vaccines that can fit more than 90% of the population (approximately 8.8 million people). He said, “I heard through TV news that the government is giving 50 euros (about 70,000 won) worth of gift certificates to people who have been tested to encourage this because people are not participating in the corona test.”
Reporters Kim Sang-jin and Seo Yu-jin [email protected]