The general public aged 18 to 49 will be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine ahead of the Chuseok holiday if they make appointments before Thursday evening. 

With the vaccination rate for the large group still under six percent, health authorities are encouraging many to schedule or reschedule appointments by 6 p.m. Thursday so that they will receive their first dose before the holiday, which begins on September 20. 

According to the state vaccine task force, of 14-point-86 million people in the group, 768-thousand-449, or five-point-two percent, have received their first shots so far since the group’s vaccinations began last Thursday.

As of 12 a.m. Tuesday, 68-point-nine percent have made appointments through the ongoing reservation session scheduled to run until September 18. 

Meanwhile, the government is set to begin administering the second dose of Pfizer to over 500-thousand teachers and staff at childcare centers, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools.