WSJ "South Korea Not Rushing to Secure Vaccines... Relatively Well Controlling COVID-19"

"South Korea Hopes for Vaccination Timing in Fall Next Year, Unlike US, Europe, and Japan Wanting Early Next Year"
Careful Stance Considering Side Effects... "Intending to Observe Other Countries' Situations"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] As the race to secure COVID-19 vaccines intensifies in the United States, Europe, Japan, and other regions, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) analyzed on the 18th (local time) that the reason the South Korean government is not rushing is because it has relatively well controlled the spread of COVID-19.

On the same day, WSJ reported in an article titled "South Korea says it can wait until vaccine prices are reasonable" that South Korea's approach to vaccine supply is more cautious compared to the United States or Europe. WSJ stated, "While many countries are scrambling to get COVID-19 vaccines, South Korea is exploring a different path," adding, "They can afford to wait."

At a National Assembly hearing on the 17th, Park Neunghoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, responded to questions about whether South Korea was lagging behind other countries in securing vaccines by saying, "If you combine the companies that have opened up supply to us, it exceeds 30 million doses," and added, "Contrary to general expectations, Pfizer and Moderna are actually urging us to sign contracts quickly."

WSJ reported that the South Korean government aims to vaccinate 60% of the population and that President Moon Jae-in has promised full government support, but health officials are taking a more cautious stance, saying early vaccines may be ineffective or cause side effects. They also want to observe the situation as vaccines are first released in other countries.

While the United States, Europe, and Japan hope to begin vaccinations early next year, South Korea is targeting vaccinations around the fall of next year, WSJ compared. The article also introduced expert opinions that South Korea has the luxury to wait and observe the effectiveness of vaccines elsewhere because COVID-19 is relatively well controlled.

Dr. Lee Cheol-woo of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) said in an interview with WSJ, "If you can keep the number of confirmed cases low, is there any reason to rush to order vaccines and take risks?" adding, "South Korea is not in as urgent a situation as the United States or Europe."

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