It’s a major step in the global vaccine rollout

South Korea’s large manufacturing employers have received permission from the country’s health authorities to administer COVID-19 vaccines at in-house clinics, hoping to speed up the inoculation of their employees.

The inoculation plans come amid the South Korean government’s push to ramp up vaccinations after a slow start.

Affiliates of the country’s biggest conglomerate Samsung Group plan to offer vaccine doses to employees at work next month.

Samsung plans to offer Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for its office and production workers, as well as workers from suppliers in South Korea who sign up for doses.

Other large companies registered to provide doses include chipmaker SK Hynix and tech company LG.

South Korea has inoculated 15.3 million people, or about 30% of its population, with at least one dose since it began administering vaccines in February.

Under the plans, only direct staff and from these manufacturing businesses and their suppliers are eligible for the new scheme.

The COVID pandemic has taken its toll on the manufacturing industry due to many delays and shortages as a result of shutdowns and restrictions.