Q&A SESSION ON VACCINE SAFETY

[Anchor Lead]

COVID-19 vaccinations are scheduled to begin after the Lunar New Year holiday. Health authorities held its first public Q&A session to ease concerns over the safety and efficacy of vaccines.

[Pkg]

The first question, as expected, was about vaccine safety. Authorities say it's only natural to feel uneasy about a vaccine that was so rapidly developed.

[Soundbite] Jeong Oh-jin(KDCA Public Affairs Team) : "The development period of COVID-19 vaccines is known to have been much shorter."

[Soundbite] Choi Won-suk(Prof., Korea Univ. Ansan Hospital) : "The short period doesn't mean clinical trial procedures were omitted. Uncertainties did exist in the early stage but they are gradually subsiding. The data so far suggests getting vaccinated is far more beneficial."

Another key concern was whether the vaccines would still be effective against new contagious coronavirus variants .

[Soundbite] Nam Jae-hwan(Prof., Catholic University) : "Most of the currently developed vaccines appear to offer sufficient protection for the UK variant but less protection against the South African one."

Officials say it's still best to get a shot because it prevents the aggravation of symptoms for those already infected.

[Soundbite] Nam Jae-hwan(Prof., Catholic University) : "Current vaccines are believed to prevent symptoms from aggravating by a considerable degree. Therefore they will at least protect people from getting sick from a virus attack."

However returning to normal life immediately after vaccination could be a risky move.

[Soundbite] Nam Jae-hwan(Prof., Catholic University) : "No that's not advised. After vaccination, people must remain vigilant for at least 2 weeks."

Another question is when herd immunity will occurr in order for the public to return to normalcy.

[Soundbite] Jung Eun-kyeong(KDCA Director) : "Herd immunity is possible when over 70% of the population are inoculated. Also antibodies can form after both doses, so our goal is to achieve herd immunity by November."

Authorities said they will review the possibility of also introducing Russian vaccines amid the growing need to secure more doses against the risk of new variants. But they stressed that no plans have been carried out yet.