The quarantine authorities decided not to force children and adolescents aged 12 to 17 to be vaccinated against COVID-19.



Hong Jung-ik, head of the vaccination management team of the Corona 19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team (promotional team) made this statement at a press conference today (14th), saying, "I do not think that the benefits of vaccination are significantly greater in the age group of 12-17." .



Team leader Hong explained that the benefits of vaccination and the risk of infection when not vaccinated are things that need to be judged based on objective data. "I don't think the benefits of vaccination are huge," he said.



However, he said, "I think children and adolescents with underlying diseases (preexisting diseases) need vaccination because there is a high risk of infection."



Team leader Hong continued, “We will provide accurate information about healthy children and adolescents to provide a good basis for making a rational decision on whether to vaccinate or not. We plan to play a role in helping people decide whether to get vaccinated. This means that we will approach them from the point of view of providing opportunities for vaccination.”



The quarantine authorities are currently establishing detailed plans for vaccination for the fourth quarter, including those aged between 12 and 17 years old.



Chief Hong said, "  We will carefully determine the type of vaccine to be vaccinated and the number of vaccinations after consulting with experts by carefully referring to cases from overseas countries,” he said.