The United States military began in coronavirus A vaccination campaign for staff stationed in South Korea on Tuesday as a third wave of virus saw the host country record its highest daily death toll since the pandemic began. U.S. forces in Korea (USFK) administered initial doses of the Modern vaccine to military and civilian health workers, first aid and command personnel through its medical treatment facilities in the country, it reported in a communiqué.
Washington has about 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea to help it defend itself from the nuclear-armed north and protect American interests in Northeast Asia.
Among those inoculated was USFK Commander Robert Abrams, who was pictured receiving the shot with a mask and a T-shirt with the “#KilltheVirus” symbol.
Vaccination is voluntary, but the head of the USFK “strongly” encouraged members of the U.S. service to receive it. “I want you to make an informed decision for you and your family about the vaccine,” he said in the statement.
Staff Sergeant. Betty R. Chevalier / US Air Force / DVIDS / Document via REUTERS
South Korea is one of four places abroad that have received the Modern vaccine has obtained emergency use authorization of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on December 18th.
Inoculations occurred when the new wave of the virus took over the Asian country. The resurgence focused on the large area of Seoul, which has seen daily cases rise to more than 1,000 several times this month despite stricter measures.
The country reported 1,046 new cases and 40 deaths on Tuesday, the highest daily number since it first identified an infection in January. A total of 58,725 cases of coronavirus have been reported.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel made a video call on Monday afternoon and agreed that the company will supply vaccine doses to 20 million South Koreans on the second. quarter of 2021, according to Moon’s office.
If the Moderna agreement is formally signed, South Korea will have enough vaccines for 56 million people, or four million more than its total population, Moon’s office said.
It plans to launch its national vaccination program in February.
South Korea has been hailed as a model of how to fight the virus, and the public largely follows official guidelines and authorities that prevent a broader outbreak with an intensive “screening, testing and treatment” approach.