SEOUL – South Korean President Moon Jae-in is scheduled to receive an AstraZeneca vaccine shot next week before attending the G7 summit in Britain, as the country goes ahead with extending the jabs to the elderly despite concerns elsewhere of it causing blood clots.
In accordance with a related procedure drawn up by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), Moon and first lady Kim Jung-sook plan to take the vaccine in public on March 23, reported Yonhap news agency according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min Seok.
He stopped short of revealing the venue, citing presidential security protocol.
The KDCA, which is in charge of South Korea’s vaccination programme, is giving priority to Moon, 68, and Kim, 67, as they require “essential” foreign travel for the diplomatic event.
Some officials who will accompany Moon on the upcoming trip will also take the vaccine.
The AstraZeneca vaccine will be available for those aged 65 and older in South Korea starting on March 23, Kang said.
The president has decided to be first in line for the jabs in a bid to ease public concerns about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, he added. – Bernama, March 15, 2021