Signs of a Second Major Wave... Government Accelerates Development of Treatments and Vaccines (Comprehensive)

Government "Will Support COVID-19 Treatments and Vaccines Development Until the End"
Full Effort Not Only on Vaccine Development but Also on Global Procurement

Minister Choi Ki-young of the Ministry of Science and ICT and Minister Park Neung-hoo of the Ministry of Health and Welfare are attending a briefing on the results of the 3rd meeting of the Pan-Government Support Group for COVID-19 Therapeutics and Vaccine Development held on the 3rd at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] As the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) intensifies domestically, raising concerns about a second large-scale outbreak, the government is also accelerating the development of treatments and vaccines.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced on the 21st at midnight that the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country increased by 324, bringing the total to 16,670. The number of new daily confirmed cases reaching the 300s is the first time in 166 days since March 8. Daily new confirmed cases have recorded triple digits continuously since mid-month when cluster infections began in earnest. From the 14th, the daily cases were 103 → 166 → 279 → 197 → 246 → 297 → 288 → 324, totaling 1,900 cases over eight days.

The government is currently making every effort to support the development of treatments and vaccines under the principle of "supporting until the end." Aiming to develop treatments within this year and vaccines by next year, the government has executed 161.5 billion KRW (about 83%) out of the 193.6 billion KRW third supplementary budget and authorized 88 companies and institutions to use public biosafety level 3 (BL3) facilities.

To avoid hindering vaccine and treatment development, unreasonable regulations are being promptly improved using the Active Administration Committee and other means. Clinical trials for five treatments and three vaccines are being supported, and a 'National Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Center,' a research consultative body between hospitals and researchers, will also be operated to support clinical trials.

In particular, to secure vaccines, the only solution to COVID-19, the government is adopting a 'two-track' strategy through international cooperation and individual negotiations, separate from development. The Pan-Governmental Committee for COVID-19 Treatment and Vaccine Development officially announced participation in the international project 'COVAX facility' for joint vaccine purchase and distribution.

COVAX aims to supply vaccines equally to 20% of the world's population and is being promoted mainly by the World Health Organization (WHO), CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations), and GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization). The goal is to jointly develop vaccines as international public goods and to voice opinions on establishing supply order.

Negotiations with companies leading vaccine development are also ongoing. Especially for companies showing promising success in vaccine development, such as entering phase 3 clinical trials, advance payments will be made to secure quantities in advance. Previously, the Ministry of Health and Welfare signed letters of intent for vaccine supply cooperation with AstraZeneca-SK Bioscience on the 21st of last month and Novavax-SK Bioscience on the 13th of this month.

The government aims to secure enough COVID-19 vaccines for the entire population but will at least pursue securing quantities sufficient to form herd immunity at about 70% of the population if full coverage is difficult.

Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, stated, "Securing treatments and vaccines is more important than anything else to overcome COVID-19 and regain our safe daily lives," adding, "Since concerns about vaccine side effects are significant, we plan to broadly gather expert opinions during the preparatory process for introduction and vaccination."

Choi Ki-young, Minister of Science and ICT, said, "Looking at the recent increase in confirmed cases centered in the metropolitan area, it is clear that the development of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines is absolutely necessary," and added, "We will continue to strengthen inter-ministerial cooperation so that excellent preclinical results smoothly translate into clinical outcomes, and industry-academia-research-hospital will work as one team to cooperate closely."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.