No. 150 / Mar 8, 2021
The world is still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners are working together to find appropriate countermeasures. They track epidemics and distribute important medical supplies to those in need. They also accelerate the development and deployment of safe and effective vaccines. The vaccine development process involves many layers of study, including three stages of clinical trials that usually take over 10 years to create. However, COVID-19 vaccines were developed in less than a year owing to the gravity of the pandemic. As a result, the international community has gained a weapon called a vaccine, but it still feels like there is a long journey ahead.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency released a detailed roadmap for vaccination. South Korea started to vaccinate its population against COVID-19 on February 26 after AstraZeneca delivered the first batch of its COVID-19 vaccine. The health authorities came up with different vaccination periods for each patient based on the medical system. Medical staff treating patients and workers at nursing homes are expected to receive the first dose of the vaccine in the first quarter. The authorities have decided not to vaccinate elderly people aged 65 or older with the vaccine from AstraZeneca for the time being. The goal is to expand the number of vaccinations to general adults in the third quarter and to form herd immunity by November. Herd immunity refers to the prevention of large-scale transmission due to the majority of people having immunity, so that even people without immunity are indirectly protected from the virus.
Two policies have been established for early inoculation. First, none of the inoculators chose the type of vaccine. This is to minimize the risk of confusion because the supply and timing of each vaccine are different. Second, those who refuse vaccination or do not make an appointment for vaccination should automatically be last in line. This prevents vaccination from slowing down due to people delaying the inoculation. France, which started vaccinating earlier than South Korea, even proposed a bill to ban unvaccinated people from using public transportation. However, the most important factor is the smooth supply of vaccines. South Korea has secured a sufficient amount of vaccine, including those by Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Janssen. The emergence of new mutations and the possibility of the neutralization of existing vaccines have also brought up. Therefore, the government’s systematic response system and the solidarity of the population should be ensured.
Many questions are being asked about the allocation of and access to vaccines as they become available. The COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) is bringing nations together, regardless of their income level, to ensure the procurement and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Now that we have procured a vaccine that works, these actions from the international community promote fair access to vaccines to prioritize people most at risk. As institutions strive to provide vaccines fairly, we must continue essential public health measures to suppress transmission. Since we have all already lost a lot, we have to keep trying to fight to get back to our normal lives. It is difficult to predict what will come next and what the virus will do as it runs its course. Currently, it is important to stay updated on all the new information.
By Kim Si-eun, AG Reporter
monica1522@ajou.ac.kr
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