Authorities: "AstraZeneca COVID Vaccine Likely No Supply Disruption Domestically" (Update)

Possibility of US Approval Delay Reported, "MFDS Will Thoroughly Review"
Consultations and Technical Reviews Underway with Relevant Ministries to Secure Additional Vaccines

'AstraZeneca-developed COVID-19 vaccine'

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] On the 10th, the quarantine authorities announced that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which our government has contracted to purchase, is expected to be available for supply around February to March next year as originally planned. Although there have been foreign media reports suggesting delays in clinical trials causing review setbacks or issues with local production, these are not considered significant problems for domestic production and importation.

Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, mentioned during a briefing on the 10th that various rumors are circulating about the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is still under development, but "the possibility of delays in domestic import or production is currently low."

Regarding this vaccine, there were local reports indicating difficulties in obtaining approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within this year due to issues during clinical trials. The international academic journal The Lancet published content suggesting that differences in efficacy according to dosage need to be analyzed. AstraZeneca announced interim results of Phase 3 clinical trials last month, showing better preventive effects with a lower dose, but additional analysis was recommended.

Lee said, "Our country's testing system is different from that of the U.S. While foreign experiences and reviews will be sufficiently considered, I believe the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will be responsible for approval regarding these matters."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson examining AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine

AstraZeneca previously signed a contract with our government and SK Bioscience, which is responsible for contract manufacturing. Our government decided to secure '10 million+α' doses of this company's vaccine, and the domestic supply volume is to be produced by SK Bioscience, which has a factory in Korea, with the agreement already finalized, Lee added. He also viewed the executive order by Trump prioritizing American-made vaccines for U.S. citizens as an issue largely unrelated to our supply.

Lee stated, "Since Korea plans to secure vaccines through different channels than the U.S., I don't think there is cause for concern. The vaccine is not produced in the U.S., so the executive order is irrelevant, and the domestically produced volume will definitely be used in Korea as initially planned."

So far, 44 million doses have been secured, and discussions among related ministries regarding additional procurement are ongoing, Lee revealed. He said, "We are consulting with relevant ministries and conducting technical reviews with manufacturers."

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