South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Department of Disease Management said on the 8th that the government is working with relevant departments and experts to develop a coronavirus vaccination plan.
At the same time, South Korea’s Ministry of Unification also said on the same day that there was a consensus within the government on the provision of a coronavirus vaccine to North Korea.
According to a Yonhap report on the 8th, in the vaccination plan jointly formulated by the South Korean government and relevant departments and experts, a total of 36 million people, such as the elderly, patients with chronic diseases and social service personnel, will be considered as priority vaccination targets, and free of charge. Among them, social service personnel mainly include medical personnel, epidemic prevention personnel, police, firefighters, nursing facility staff and military personnel.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Office of Disease Management of Korea said that vaccination for other groups will be carried out after the vaccination of priority groups. Because clinical outcomes for children and adolescents are still insufficient, this group may not be included in the priority vaccination.
According to the report, South Korea’s Ministry of Unification also said on the 8th local time that although there was no specific consultation with the health department, there was a consensus within the government on the provision of vaccines to North Korea.
Officials of the Ministry of Unification said at a press conference on the same day that health cooperation between South Korea and North Korea is necessary for North Korean residents and even the South Korean people, and a certain consensus has been formed within the government.
The official said that the problem of infectious diseases knows no borders, and it is necessary for South Korea and North Korea to work together to deal with the epidemic.
South Korea’s Unification Minister Lee In-young also said that the South Korean government will still start from an early age and resume inter-Korean trade and dialogue, with a view to creating a new situation of inter-Korean exchanges.
According to previous reports, the South Korean government announced the vaccine procurement plan on the 8th, which will ensure 44 million doses of vaccine.
Regarding the start time of vaccination, South Korea’s Minister of Health and Welfare Park Minhou said on the 8th that the vaccine will be supplied nationwide from the first quarter of next year after the government confirms the safety and effectiveness.
