Even though the strong suppression policy involving non-pharmaceutical interventions was effective in the first half of the COVID-19 pandemic, the outcome of the battle of the second half depends on achieving herd immunity through effective vaccines. We have succeeded in quarantine by rapid testing, contact tracing, and prevention of hospital overload by implementing designated COVID-19 treatment facilities, but to reach herd immunity in 6 months seems challenging. In Israel, the United Kingdom, and the United States, where vaccination has been accelerated, the prevalence and mortality rates of COVID-19 are significantly decreasing. However, it is difficult to achieve full herd immunity and eliminate COVID-19, because regulatory authorities allowed the emergency use of vaccines and did not recommend for use in those lesser than 12 years of age (Pfizer-BioNThech) or 18 years of age (Moderna, Janssen) [3] due to a lack of complete efficacy data. Anyway recent studies on the efficacy and the safety of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents will facilitate the achievement of herd immunity [4]. But, outbreaks and reports of severe cases are increasing, in addition, the emergence of variants of COVID-19 and the decline of antibody titers after vaccination has suggested the need for booster vaccination, and public health authorities in some countries are concerned about the increase in patients after the government hastily lifted guidelines for social distancing and mask-wearing. In the Republic of Korea, early vaccine acquisition and rollout were delayed, and vaccine hesitancy due to controversy regarding the rare event of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis linked the AstraZeneca vaccine made an impact on the race towards vaccination. The one-dose use of the Janssen vaccine targeting veterans is also scheduled to start after approval by the regulatory authorities, which will lead to further progress in this race. This provides an optimistic perspective that 14 million people will be able to receive the shot. However, more active persuasion is needed. Infectious diseases have a large external effect, and in order to protect the entire society, herd immunity is required to block transmission. A sophisticated explanatory model is needed for political decision-making and persuasion of the public. Non-pharmacological intervention policies, vaccine rollout, and border opening are inextricably linked with the COVID-19 infection rate and economic losses. Therefore, modeling to determine which policy option to choose and at which time to implement it becomes important, and simulation of the options would help in decision-making. Although the government has never clearly stated whether its policy goal regarding COVID-19 is to eliminate the disease or to mitigate its consequences, the trade-off between different options is the art of decision-making for the elimination of COVID-19. Public health measures, economic losses, democratic solidarity, and civil liberties are important factors when evaluating pandemic responses. The Republic of Korea has been recognized as one of the 5 best Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in terms of eliminating COVID-19 [5]. The Korean government has aimed to lower R(t) below 1 and then shift to a mitigation policy once it falls below 1; thus, the Republic of Korea is an example of a country with a tight suppression policy, not a country with an aggressive/moderate elimination policy [6]

Most of all, an authentic attitude on the part of decision-makers makes it possible to persuade the public to participate in policy uptake. The government's responsibility is to secure a safe vaccine and to make decisions transparently. The responsibility of the media is to provide accurate and detailed reports on the benefits of vaccines according to the science and the evidence. The accountability of the people is to get vaccinated, wear masks, and maintain social distancing. No one is safe until everyone is safe. When everyone is responsible and accountable in their role, COVID-19 will be eliminated.

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