South Korean President Moon Jae-in received AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine prior to a trip abroad on Tuesday, when the country began vaccinating more seniors and health workers in an effort to speed up its vaccination program, Reuters reports.
Moon, 68, was given the photo from a community clinic near his Seoul office to prepare for a planned visit to the UK for a G7 summit in June.
Moon’s wife and nine assistants who will accompany him on the trip, including National Security Advisor Suh Hoon, have also been vaccinated, his office said in a statement.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has invited South Korea, India and Australia to attend the summit as guests.
The government of South Korea on Tuesday began vaccinating nearly 300,000 people in healthcare hospitals and nursing homes aged 65 or older and medical workers there as it ramps up its vaccination program.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), approximately 680,000 high-risk health workers and critically ill people have been vaccinated since the campaign began in late February.
Authorities want to vaccinate nearly a quarter of the country’s 52 million residents by June and achieve herd immunity by November amid a third wave of Covid outbreaks.
Thanks to the KDCA, people who are carrying out an important public mission, such as a diplomatic or military task, could be vaccinated starting this month.
The healthcare facility’s patients and employees will also receive an AstraZeneca injection, the KDCA said, with about 77% of the 375,000 eligible individuals agreeing to get it.
Authorities reaffirmed on Monday that they have found no evidence of health risks, despite reports of blood clots among those who received the AstraZeneca vaccine in Europe.
South Korea approved the product this month for people 65 and older after delaying its use for that age group, citing a lack of clinical data.
“I am willing to get an AstraZeneca vaccine first if it helps reassure people so they feel safe about participating in the campaign,” Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun told a rally on Tuesday.
The KDCA reported 346 new cases as of Monday, bringing the total caseload to 99,421, with 1,704 deaths.