South Korea’s health authorities said on Tuesday that they are discussing with the Education Ministry on whether to unveil how many adolescents are signing up for the COVID-19 vaccine with reservations for the age group set to open later in the day. 

Hong Jeong-ik, a senior official of the vaccination task force, relayed the stance, as the consider the  potential impact of such disclosure on the vaccination program on youths, as well as how the tally may put pressure on the respective age group to get vaccinated.

The government has updated daily on vaccine reservation rates so far but some are resisting similar measures on teens amid conflicting debate on whether the vaccination’s benefits outweigh risks for young people. 

The government has already announced it will not make vaccination compulsory for teens leave it to the discretion of their parents or their guardians. Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae also said earlier in the day no students should suffer any disadvantage over vaccination. 

Vaccinations for students aged 16 to 17 will begin from October 18, and for those aged 12 to 15 on November 1. Reservations will open 8 p.m. Tuesday.