Teenagers are against 'coercive' inoculation
A government decision to enforce COVID-19 vaccine passports for teenage students is drawing a strong backlash. However, the Moon Jae-in administration shows no sign of backpedaling on the decision, which is raising concerns about the potential emergence of an anti-vax movement in South Korea.
The vaccine pass plan is part of the government's efforts to raise the inoculation rate among teens in the face of the resurgent coronavirus. It will require students aged 12 to 18 to present a certificate of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative test result to be allowed into crowed facilities such as cram schools, libraries, internet cafes and restaurants starting Feb. 1. This measure seems to be a necessary step to fight the pandemic, especially when the new Omicron variant is spreading rapidly here.
But, some students and their parents are strongly against the plan, accusing the government of trying to make it "mandatory" to get vaccine shots. They are also worried that vaccine passports, if enforced, may cause discrimination against those unvaccinated and infringe on their learning rights.
In fact, many teenagers are reluctant to get vaccinated due to fears about side-effects. The government has so far allowed parents to decide whether their children get vaccinated, while recommending those with underlying conditions such as diabetes to get inoculated. But its abrupt change in vaccine policy is inviting the anger of students and their parents.
A high school student is staging an online petition against vaccination on the website of the presidential office. He has drawn endorsement from more than 300,000 people since Nov. 26. The office should respond to the petition as it has garnered support from more than 200,000 people. He raised doubts about the effectiveness of vaccines because there are many reported cases of breakthrough infections. He also argued that the vaccine pass plan could lead to a violation of people's basic right to reject inoculation.
The petitioner's argument is not without its flaws, but the authorities should not dismiss it as groundless. Rather, they need to pay more attention to his voice. They also must acknowledge that their incoherent policy has caused a loss of public trust in the vaccination program. They cannot regain trust by simply saying that those not wanting to be vaccinated can opt for a negative test result as a condition of entry to cram schools and other multi-use facilities. It is, hoever, unrealistic for any student to take a test every 48 hours to prove they are not infected with the virus.
Most of all, the government should make all-out efforts to enhance coherence and transparency in the vaccination program. It is only focused on raising the low rate for teenagers without considering their concerns. Less than 30 percent of teens have so far been fully vaccinated, far lower than the 90 percent of adults. It is also true that the infection rate among teenagers has been higher than that for adults over the last four weeks. Thus, it is necessary to persuade, not "coerce," young students to get vaccinated. Forcing vaccine passports upon them will only aggravate the situation.