▲ This image provided by a ward office in Gwangju shows a child getting a COVID-19 vaccine shot. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) govt-vaccination

(LEAD) Gov't to begin vaccinating children aged 5-11 against COVID-19 in late March

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info from 2nd para)

SEOUL, March 14 (Yonhap) -- The government will begin vaccinating children aged 5-11 against COVID-19 late this month, Interior Minister Jeon Hae-cheol said Monday.

The safety of COVID-19 vaccines for children has been sufficiently proven abroad while COVID-19 patients aged 11 or under have surpassed 15 percent of all cases in the country, Jeon said during a COVID-19 response meeting.

"The government will carry out vaccination for young children aged between 5-11, who have been excluded from inoculation, from late March," he said.

Vaccination for the age group will begin on March 31 at 1,200 clinics nationwide, with reservations available starting on March 24, the minister added.

The government approved the use of Pfizer Inc.'s COVID-19 vaccine for the age group last month ahead of the reopening of schools for the new spring semester in early March.

On Monday, the government will also begin administering a third vaccine booster shot for teenagers aged 12-17 who completed their two-dose vaccination at least three months ago, Jeon said.

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