Government: "Secured COVID-19 Vaccine Doses for 20% of the Population... Aiming for 60% by Year-End" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] "Our goal is to secure a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine that can be administered to 60% of our country's population within this year."

On the 12th, Kwon Jun-wook, the 2nd Deputy Head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at the regular briefing on the domestic COVID-19 situation, "Even if it means giving up advance payments, we will secure and purchase a sufficient and preferably large quantity of COVID-19 vaccines."

On the same day, in response to questions about the government's COVID-19 vaccine procurement status, Deputy Head Kwon said, "Our current goal is to secure doses for 60% of the total population within this year, and negotiations are proceeding smoothly," adding, "Even if it means giving up all advance payments, we will ensure to secure an adequate amount."

Deputy Head Kwon explained, "Our country is a member of the multinational coalition COVAX Facility, and a letter of commitment was already submitted on the 9th of last month," adding, "Officially, the amount corresponding to 20% of our population (10 million doses) is practically secured."

He said, "The remaining 40% of the total 60% will be secured through negotiations with global companies, but since negotiations are ongoing, it is difficult to disclose specific company names."

Unlike the US and Europe, COVID-19 is Controlled in Our Country; Vaccine Administration is Proceeding Carefully Without Rushing

However, he mentioned that unlike the United States and the European Union (EU), COVID-19 is currently under control in our country, so vaccine administration is proceeding carefully without rushing.

Deputy Head Kwon said, "The COVID-19 situation in our country is considerably controlled compared to countries in the Americas or Europe," adding, "In this situation, the advance purchase process is being conducted based on evidence of vaccine safety and efficacy, and it is agreed that negotiation details will not be disclosed until commitments are finalized."

He continued, "In the future, clinical trial results from other global pharmaceutical companies besides Pfizer will also be released one after another," adding, "For Pfizer's vaccine, since side effects need to be observed for at least two months after the second dose, it will take considerable time until final approval is granted."

Deputy Head Kwon said, "Meanwhile, there will be fierce competition and efforts among countries for advance vaccine purchases, and our country has already been actively and steadily proceeding with this."

Government: "We Will Choose Vaccines That Pass Safety and Efficacy"; Must Overcome This Winter with Daily Life Quarantine... Vigilance Must Not Be Lowered

He also explained that our government has chosen the selective purchase model among the two purchase models of the COVAX facility.

Deputy Head Kwon said, "Purchasing vaccines through the COVAX facility proceeds in two ways: a confirmed purchase model where designated vaccines are received, and a selective purchase model where the COVAX facility recommends vaccines and the respective country chooses," adding, "Our country has the authority to select from vaccines that pass safety and efficacy reviews conducted by the COVAX facility under the selective purchase model."

Currently, there are a total of nine global pharmaceutical companies participating in the COVAX Facility, and our government intends to select and purchase products that have been verified for safety and efficacy among them.

He added, "The selective purchase model requires slightly higher advance payments than the confirmed purchase model," adding, "The government will apply for various advance purchases and will strive to secure vaccines with proven safety even if it means not recovering advance payments due to failure in vaccine development."

Deputy Head Kwon emphasized that recent progress in COVID-19 vaccines should not lower vigilance regarding quarantine measures. He said, "There is concern that domestic and international news about vaccine and treatment development might reduce tension and vigilance toward quarantine," adding, "This winter is the last winter to overcome the epidemic with social distancing and mask-wearing alone?that is, with daily life vaccines?before COVID-19 vaccines and newly developed treatments are fully commercialized."

He continued, "Since the virus spreads from person to person, blocking transmission opportunities through social quarantine is the only best preventive measure," urging, "Let us all unite to overcome COVID-19 by always maintaining vigilance when entering crowded indoor spaces, wearing masks, and washing hands immediately after touching or using shared items."

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