North Korean authorities recently carried out a second round of COVID-19 vaccinations for a portion of the public, with priority given to regions where trade is either currently ongoing or will likely expand.
According to multiple sources in North Korea on Tuesday, North Korean authorities began a second round of vaccinations in late September for residents of Sinuiju, North Pyongan Province, and Nampo, as well as some residents of Pyongyang.
Daily NK reported in September that, starting in mid-August, North Korea carried out its first round of vaccinations for residents of Sinuiju, North Pyongan Province, Nampo and some districts of Pyongyang.
A LIMITED VACCINATION CAMPAIGN CONTINUES
In the case of Sinuiju, the authorities carried out the second round of vaccinations for members of neighborhood watch units at district offices and clinics on Sept. 23 and 24.
According to a source in North Pyongan Province, residents aged 18 to 59 received the vaccinations. During the first round of vaccinations in August, anyone over the age of three received shots, but young children, adolescents and elderly over the age of 60 were excluded from the second round.
In particular, many people suffering from diabetes died after receiving the first round of shots, so diabetes patients were reportedly excluded during the second round.
The source said that although some people suddenly died after receiving the first vaccination, with so many people in North Korea dying from disease or starvation, determining whether they died from the vaccine or another cause can prove difficult.
Meanwhile, the authorities reportedly carried out the second round of vaccinations in Nampo and Pyongyang’s Jung District after carrying out the first round in August and early September.
According to a source in South Pyongan Province, young children, adolescents and the elderly were excluded from the second round of shots in Nampo and Pyongyang, too.
Residents in Pyongyang’s outer districts who previously received no first round of vaccinations are reportedly getting their first shots.
The source said the authorities even plan to vaccinate people from outside of Pyongyang who are currently residing in the capital city without government permission.
RASON RESIDENTS ARE GETTING JABS, TOO
North Korea has also begun vaccinations in the city of Rason, which sits on the border with Russia.
According to a source in North Hamgyong Province, only Rason residents who work in trade-related industries received vaccinations. In fact, the first round of vaccinations concluded when officials in trading bodies and workers at the ports of Sonbong and Najin received their shots.
Employees at Tumangang Station and laborers who work with freight trains received their first round of vaccinations in early October, sparking hopes that freight train service between North Korea and Russia will soon restart.
However, as was the case during the previous round of shots, North Korean authorities revealed neither the name nor the type of the vaccine. They simply called it a “prophylactic shot in accordance with state public health policy,” explaining that it was “effective in preventing the flu.”
Yet, given that the authorities are carrying out a second round of free vaccinations, many North Koreans reportedly believe the shots are COVID-19 vaccinations.
Moreover, with some health care officials sparking growing rumors that the shots are coronavirus vaccines imported from China, some North Koreans are reportedly saying that “North Korea received the vaccines in return for minerals,” and that “the best coronavirus vaccines are American, while Chinese vaccines are ineffective.”
Please direct any comments or questions about this article to dailynkenglish@uni-media.net.
