Appointments for 1st shot of Pfizer vaccines temporarily suspended

By Lee Hyo-jin

The health authorities will temporarily halt giving first shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in May to more effectively carry out inoculation for those scheduled for second shots.

Currently, the two-dose regimen vaccine is being administered to Korean over the age of 75 ― eligible recipients are advised to make appointments at their district offices and visit a vaccination center. Those who have received a first shot should schedule the second one for three weeks later.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Friday, it has issued an order to each district office to refrain from making new appointments for the first shot of the Pfizer vaccine from May, following a request from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

Other local governments including Busan, Incheon, Daejeon and Ulsan have followed suit.

Following concerns whether the decision is due to vaccine shortage, the health authorities explained the halt was a temporary measure to concentrate on giving second doses.

“As we concentrated on administering the first shots in April, there will be a surge in those requiring their second shots in May,” the KDCA explained in a statement.

The agency continued reassure that the country has obtained an abundant supply of the Pfizer vaccine to inoculate people over 75, saying, “The country has received enough doses of the Pfizer vaccine so far to inoculate 1 million people. Additional a supply of 1.75 million doses will arrive in May followed by 3.25 million in June.”

Sohn Young-rae, a spokesman at the Ministry of Health and Welfare said at a briefing earlier in the day, “There are no changes in the arrival schedule for Pfizer vaccines. A total of 18 million doses are expected to be introduced by the end of June. We will be able to reveal the schedule for May next week.”