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South Korea: Achieves its goal of vaccinating 70% of its 52 million inhabitants

THE South Korea announced today that it had achieved its goal of vaccinating 70% of its 52 million inhabitants, paving the way for a planned return to normalcy next month.

The target, set a month before the country launches its vaccination campaign in late February, was reached at 2pm local time, with 36 million South Koreans vaccinated, according to the South Korean Disease Control and Prevention Authority (KDCA).

This goal had previously been met with concern, as the government had to deal with a worldwide shortage of Covid-19 vaccines and delays in deliveries. But despite the difficult start, South Korea soon accelerated its vaccination rate, thanks in part to the supplies it achieved and the relatively high public acceptance.

Health Minister Kwon Deok-seol said last week that the government would begin a gradual return to normalcy from November 1st.

“It is impossible to put an end to the pandemic by achieving collective immunity due to the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant,” the KDCA said in a statement.

“But achieving the vaccination goal means a lot in reducing serious cases and deaths and is an important condition for a transition to a gradual return to our daily lives.”

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