"Vaccination of Priority Domestic COVID-19 Vaccine Recipients Scheduled for Late Autumn Next Year"

Kwon Jun-wook "Negotiations Underway for Purchase of 5 Vaccines in Phase 3 Clinical Trials"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] "We will ensure that the COVID-19 vaccine is fully administered to domestic priority recipients before the influenza (flu) vaccination takes place in late autumn next year."

On the 17th, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at the regular briefing on the domestic COVID-19 situation, "The vaccine procurement process through COVAX Facility, a multinational consortium for COVID-19 vaccine acquisition, and negotiations with individual pharmaceutical companies are steadily progressing towards completion."

Deputy Head Kwon said, "The advisory committee for vaccine selection and introduction has been operating smoothly," adding, "Through the advisory committee, there is a consensus that it is necessary to prioritize purchasing about five vaccines currently in phase 3 clinical trials, and to make staggered pre-purchases."

The government plans to announce the overall contract status, progress, and secured quantities related to COVID-19 vaccine introduction by the end of this month at the earliest, or by early December at the latest. Based on expert opinions received from the advisory committee, the government will proceed with consultations with financial authorities and discussions through the Therapeutics and Vaccine Development Support Committee, chaired jointly by the Ministers of Health and Welfare and Science and ICT, to carry out the vaccine procurement process.

Deputy Head Kwon said, "Yesterday, together with experts, we reached some consensus on vaccination strategies, including priority recipients," and added, "We are combining the quantities and timing of vaccines that can be secured, vaccination intervals, and the cold chain system to make every effort to ensure that optimal COVID-19 vaccination can be carried out in a timely manner."

He stated, "Although approval from global vaccine manufacturers’ respective countries or regulatory bodies such as the European Medicines Agency could be obtained as early as December, actual vaccinations are expected to begin from January," and added, "Once vaccinations start, we are preparing to proceed with the vaccination schedule in Korea accordingly."

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However, the government reiterated that its stance on introducing only vaccines with secured safety remains unchanged.

Deputy Head Kwon said, "Among vaccines currently undergoing clinical trials, we have not confirmed clinical trials for pregnant women and children/adolescents," and added, "Although interim results from global pharmaceutical companies’ clinical trials show achievements in a short period, it is reasonable to start after additional confirmation of 500,000 to 1 million vaccinations and their side effects for safety, and even if we start that way, it will not be too late." He explained that experts generally do not oppose this view.

Additionally, the health authorities pledged to do their best in developing domestic therapeutics and vaccines.

Deputy Head Kwon said, "While we may cheer for overseas news, in fact, domestic manufacturers are also working diligently on therapeutics and vaccine development," and added, "Even if global pharmaceutical companies’ COVID-19 vaccinations are completed domestically, if domestic vaccines successfully complete phase 3 clinical trials afterward, we will purchase them."

He further stated, "Even if they are not administered, we will purchase them," and added, "We consider this an investment for all of our future and will provide maximum support."

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