Lim So Yun, Kim Han Wool, Choe Young June, Ahn Bin, Kang Hyun Mi, Park Jiyoung, Kwon Geun Yong, Lee Seung Ho, Kwon Sunghee, Choi Eun Hwa
Department of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Department of Pediatrics, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, Republic of Korea.
Vaccine X. 2024 Dec 10;22:100601. doi: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2024.100601. eCollection 2025 Jan.
Vaccination is a cornerstone of public health, preventing infectious diseases with significant contribution to human health. In South Korea, the Korea Expert Committee on Immunization Practices (KECIP) plays a pivotal role in guiding national vaccination policies. In this comprehensive review, we investigated the history, legal basis, operation, and achievements of the KECIP, highlighting its critical role in shaping the country's successful vaccination program. We analyze the KECIP's diverse responsibilities, including deliberating on national immunization programs, establishing vaccination criteria, managing targeted infectious diseases, and formulating eradication strategies. Also, we revealed its well-defined structure, specialized subcommittees, and ethical protocols that ensure transparency and integrity. Furthermore, we explored the KECIP's strategic evolution, showcasing its contributions to expanding vaccine coverage, implementing emergency approvals, and optimizing foundational vaccinations for all age groups as well as special populations including immunocompromised individuals. By combining scientific rigor, expert insights, and a commitment to public health, the KECIP had navigated the dynamic landscape of infectious disease control, contributing significantly to South Korea's impressive vaccination achievements.
疫苗接种是公共卫生的基石，对预防传染病、维护人类健康具有重大意义。在韩国，韩国免疫实践专家委员会（KECIP）在指导国家疫苗接种政策方面发挥着关键作用。在本全面综述中，我们调查了KECIP的历史、法律依据、运作情况及成就，突出了其在塑造该国成功的疫苗接种计划中所起的关键作用。我们分析了KECIP的多项职责，包括审议国家免疫计划、制定疫苗接种标准、管理目标传染病以及制定根除策略。此外，我们还揭示了其明确的架构、专门的小组委员会以及确保透明度和廉正性的道德规范。再者，我们探讨了KECIP的战略演变，展示了其在扩大疫苗接种覆盖范围、实施紧急批准以及优化所有年龄组和包括免疫功能低下个体在内的特殊人群的基础疫苗接种方面所做的贡献。通过结合科学严谨性、专家见解以及对公共卫生的承诺，KECIP应对了传染病控制的动态形势，为韩国令人瞩目的疫苗接种成就做出了重大贡献。
