By Lee Hana and Yoon Sojung

President Moon Jae-in on May 3 discussed the government's vaccination plan at the second Special Meeting to Check Epidemic Prevention and Control against COVID-19 at Cheong Wa Dae.

"We have already secured enough doses for twice the population of Korea, and the vaccination campaign is gaining speed: Our target of inoculating 3 million people before the end of April has been surpassed by more than 10 percent," he said.

"Vaccine imports and inoculations are proceeding more smoothly than originally planned."

He added, "We also received a report that if we continue to put the vaccines being imported in phases into optimal use, we may be able to raise the initial target of inoculating 12 million in the first half of the year to 13 million."

"I urge you to do all you can to ensure that herd immunity is achieved before our original target of sometime in November."

The chief executive said, "Vaccine-related information should be disclosed in a transparent manner so that the people will have no fears, and efforts to rectify the misinformation being circulated should be strengthened."

On vaccine shipments, he said, "In May, Korea will continue to receive stable weekly shipments of the Pfizer vaccine, and the AstraZeneca vaccine will be delivered earlier and in a greater quantity than originally planned."

"In accordance with detailed government plans, the vaccines have been allocated most effectively for the first and second shots."

President Moon also urged continued vigilance against the pandemic, saying, "As of this moment, what matters the most in our epidemic control efforts is not to let our guard down."

"The government will remain more vigilant this May – 'family month' – when an increasing number of people travel and gather together."

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