COVID-19 vaccines transported to Ulleung Island via military helicopter
SEOUL, Feb. 28 (Yonhap) -- The defense ministry said Sunday it transported a batch of COVID-19 vaccines to Ulleung Island in the East Sea to help inoculate local residents, where access through commercial transportation is relatively time consuming and difficult.
The ministry said a batch of AstraZeneca's vaccine from the government's vaccine storage warehouse left Icheon, some 80 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and arrived at a Navy base on Ulleung via a CH-47D military transportation helicopter.
After its landing, the vaccine shipment was delivered to the Ulleung County's public health center escorted by police and Navy vehicles.
Authorities initially planned on delivering the vaccines via the sea but later opted to use a helicopter in consideration of the weather conditions and distance.
"I hope the vaccines delivered today can help with the herd immunity formation of the people of Ulleung," Air Force Maj. Cho Sung-mo, a helicopter pilot, said.
Vaccine-related authorities plan to actively use air transportation in delivering vaccines in cases where access may be limited due to factors such as weather conditions.
On Friday, South Korea launched its first vaccination campaign starting with health care workers and patients at nursing facilities and hospitals across the nation with the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca.
The KCDA said 20,322 people across the country had received their first shots of the vaccines as of Saturday.
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
BTS member Jimin's 'hanbok' suit up for auction
-
BTS enters Billboard Hot 100 with new Japanese single
-
'Dynamite' becomes 3rd BTS video to top 1 bln views
-
S. Korea, U.S. authorities assess N.K. has completed building new 3,000-ton submarine: sources
-
BTS to stream concerts in weekend Bang Bang Con event
-
BTS member Jimin's 'hanbok' suit up for auction
-
BTS enters Billboard Hot 100 with new Japanese single
-
BTS to stream concerts in weekend Bang Bang Con event
-
(LEAD) Seoul mayor pushes for introduction of self-testing kits, extending hours for small businesses
-
BLACKPINK amasses 60 mln subscribers on YouTube: agency
-
Yellow dust storm from China, Mongolia heading towards Korea
-
Vaccine supply glitch threatening to take inoculation scheme off track
-
(LEAD) New virus cases in 600s for 3rd day amid rising concerns over new virus wave
-
(2nd LD) New virus cases in 600s for 3rd day amid rising concerns over new virus wave
-
(3rd LD) U.S., Japan committed to complete denuclearization of N. Korea: leaders