South Korea had said it would complete vaccinations on 1.3 million people by the first quarter of this year with AstraZeneca shots, but it slashed the target sharply to 750,000. The decision is largely due to adjustments in the supply timetable of the 2.6 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from COVAX, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said on Monday. "We do not believe the adjustments in inoculations in February and March will impact our goal of herd immunity by November," KDCA director Jeong Eun-kyeong told a briefing. South Korea also reversed its earlier plan on the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine and said it would delay inoculation of the elderly using the shot until more efficacy data becomes available. South Korea's first vaccinations will begin on Feb 26, with healthcare workers and vulnerable residents, including the elderly, the first in line.

Source: bd News24 February 15, 2021 08:15 UTC