President Moon Jae-in on Monday dismissed concerns over the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines or a delay in their administration.

Chairing this year's final weekly meeting with senior aides, Moon said such concerns are not true and that the government has been exerting its best efforts to secure vaccines for several months by activating a task force and listening to expert opinions.

He said steps are being taken according to plan and vaccinations will begin in February starting with priority groups that include medical staff and workers and residents at elderly care facilities. 

Moon said enough vaccines have already been secured while efforts continue to purchase more for contingency situations. Officials are also trying to introduce the vaccines at an earlier date. He added that the most important principle in the COVID-19 response is the transparent disclosure of information and this is the same with vaccines.

According to Moon, the government is also supporting domestic vaccine development and stressed that all three areas of quarantine, treatment and vaccination must come together to end the pandemic so that life can return to normal.