The government says it does not see the decision to temporarily withhold inoculating AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccines to the elderly impacting its goal to achieve herd immunity by November in a big way. 

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency(KDCA) Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong gave her assurance in Monday's briefing, adding the readjusted vaccination plan for February and March will only bring partial revision as to who will get the first jabs.  

Jeong said although it is right to give first priority to the highest-risk groups, the authorities had to take into account credibility and public trust in the AstraZeneca vaccine and judged it is better to begin inoculating the vaccine based on more solid evidence. 

As a result, she said 270-thousand out of 650-thousand residents and employees at nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities will receive the first shots, adding vaccination plans for the remaining 370-thousand people will be confirmed following additional tests on the efficacy of the British-Swedish vaccine. 

Asked of possible delays or negative results of such tests, the KDCA chief said the possibility of providing the elderly with other vaccines that are scheduled to arrive in the second half will also be considered.