The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has authorized AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine for all adults including seniors on the condition the firm submits the results of Phase Three clinical trials currently underway in the U.S.

The ministry announced the results of a final assessment meeting on Wednesday involving three outside experts and five ministry officials, including Minister Kim Gang-lip.

The committee concluded that most reported adverse reactions were predictable and no severe cases were reported among the elderly.

However, the ministry has recommended that doctors exercise discretion when deciding to use the vaccine on seniors 65 and older as there is still less data on efficacy from the trials in this age group.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is a two-dose regimen taken at an interval of four to 12 weeks. The first round of vaccines is set to be ready in South Korea on February 24 with inoculation to begin as early as February 26.