Current Status of COVID-19 Outbreak and Vaccination in the Republic of Korea

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines the current status of COVID-19 vaccination in the Republic of Korea. Therefore, we investigate the currently approved COVID-19 vaccines and their properties, COVID-19 vaccine prioritization guidance and timeline, and the status of adverse events after the COVID-19 vaccination. Moreover, we examine the SARS-CoV-2 variants and the current prevalent variants in the Republic of Korea.

Method: This study was conducted on Web-based searches about the latest updates COVID-19 from the World Health Organization, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. In addition, we searched for the “COVID-19 OR vaccines” in PubMed and then reviewed the selected articles regarding COVID-19 vaccines, prioritization guidance, adverse effects, and variants.

Results: To date, 4 COVID-19 vaccines have been received regulatory approval in the Republic of Korea. To promote stable COVID-19 vaccination, the COVID-19 Vaccination Promotion Task Force announced the order of COVID-19 vaccine distribution and vaccination schedules from the first and the third quarter of 2021, intending to complete the first dose of vaccination in 70% of the country's population by the end of September 2021. Currently, a total of 20,169,592 vaccine doses have been administered until August 02, 2021, representing 38.9% of the total population, and 7,289,659 individuals(about 14.1% of the country’s population) have been fully vaccinated so far. In total, 0.49%(105,937 cases) of individuals who were vaccinated reported adverse effects. Among them, 94.9% were general adverse reactions, and 5.1% were severe adverse effects, including death and suspected anaphylaxis(severe allergic reactions). Recently, Delta variant is significantly expanding since June, and it is currently the predominant strain of the virus in the Republic of Korea.

Conclusion: Since June 12, the highest Social Distancing Level 4 has been implemented in the Seoul Metropolitan Area. With COVID-19 vaccination, we need to cooperate with antivirus measures and cancel unnecessary social gatherings to protect ourselves from the persistent infectious disease.

[Keywords] Approved COVID-19 Vaccines, COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritization, COVID-19 Vaccination Schedules, Adverse Reactions, SARS-CoV-2 Variants

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? Source: edaily.co.kr