South Korea Launches Ambitious Vaccination Program

Strategic Insights -

South Korea kicked off its ambitious vaccination program on Friday, distributing AstraZeneca vaccines to long-term care hospitals and public health centers across the country. The program aims to inoculate 1.57 million people, with 785,000 receiving the first dose in the initial phase. The distribution of the vaccine, produced locally by SK Bioscience Co. under a partnership with AstraZeneca, marks a significant step towards South Korea's goal of attaining herd immunity by November. The program's logistics plan includes a five-day distribution period, with a total of 56 sealed trucks carrying 163,000 doses of the vaccine being transported to nearly 600 facilities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The vaccination program aims to inoculate 1.57 million people, with 785,000 receiving the first dose in the initial phase.
  • The AstraZeneca vaccine is being distributed to long-term care hospitals and public health centers across the country.
  • The vaccine was produced locally by SK Bioscience Co. under a partnership with AstraZeneca.
  • The program's logistics plan includes a five-day distribution period.
  • Health authorities had to thoroughly check the shipment process, resulting in a two-hour delay.
  • After retrieving and re-checking the vaccines, health authorities decided to use them on Jeju Island despite a temperature deviation.
  • The AstraZeneca vaccine is deemed more convenient for mass inoculations due to its lower storage temperature requirements.
  • Pfizer's vaccine will be offered to 55,000 medical staff members treating COVID-19 patients starting on Saturday, with inoculations to be completed by March 20.
  • South Korea aims to attain herd immunity by November after inoculating 70 percent of its population by September.

Statistics:

  • 56 sealed trucks carrying 163,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine were distributed across the country.
  • nearly 600 facilities received the vaccine doses.
  • A total of 500,000 health care workers and patients aged under 65 at sanatoriums, nursing facilities, and rehabilitation facilities will receive the first jab.
  • 5,266 health care workers and patients at 213 long-term care facilities received the first shot on Friday.
  • Pfizer's vaccine will be offered to 55,000 medical staff members starting on Saturday.
  • South Korea aims to inoculate 70 percent of its population by September to attain herd immunity by November.

Sources:

Yonhap News Agency, 25 February 2021

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)

SK Bioscience Co.

AstraZeneca

Pfizer Inc.