Challenges in COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Storage: "Immediate Vaccination Near Pfizer Freezer Warehouse"

Third Major Wave... Growing Calls for the Only Solution: 'Vaccination'

As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) rapidly spreads mainly in the Seoul metropolitan area, citizens are lining up for diagnostic tests at a temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza on the 14th. The government has designated the next three weeks, from this day until the 3rd of next month, as an "intensive testing period" and will conduct free tests through temporary screening clinics installed at 150 locations in the metropolitan area. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea surges, voices urging to expedite the only solution, vaccination, are growing louder. The president and the ruling party have expressed the view that vaccinations will be possible around February to March next year, and the day before, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, mentioned that efforts will be made to start vaccinations before March.

Assuming that 1,000 new confirmed cases occur daily in the metropolitan area for 20 days, 10,000 new hospital beds will be needed over the next 20 days, leading to a severe depletion of medical resources. The quarantine authorities have begun preparations, including setting up frozen storage, to prepare for the Pfizer vaccine, which started vaccinations the fastest worldwide.

Preparation Needed to Meet Strict Conditions Such as Storage in Freezers Below -70°C

Following the UK, the US also began vaccinations with the Pfizer vaccine on the 14th (local time), prompting busy government efforts to introduce the vaccine. This vaccine requires special preparation, including the establishment of frozen storage, due to its strict cold chain conditions such as storage below -70°C.

Professor Ki Mo-ran of the National Cancer Center, chair of the Korean Society of Preventive Medicine's COVID-19 Task Force, said, "The government initially expected AstraZeneca's vaccine approval to be the fastest, but unexpectedly, Pfizer's vaccine started vaccinations first, which is not a good option for the government," adding, "There are many troublesome tasks such as simulating the vaccination situation and preparing new vaccination sites."

The most urgent task is securing frozen storage. The Pfizer vaccine can only be stored for ten days in special containers filled with dry ice. A separate large frozen storage facility capable of consistently maintaining temperatures below -70°C must be established. Professor Ki expressed concern, saying, "Because the ultra-low temperature must be continuously maintained, dry ice must be replenished repeatedly, not just once," and "During transportation, the size of the dry ice decreases, so it needs to be replenished again."

"Pfizer Vaccine First Vaccination Is Not a Good Option for the Government"
Vaccinees Moving to Vaccination Centers

The government is considering selecting the easiest locations for vaccination since the Pfizer vaccine cannot be moved multiple times while maintaining ultra-low temperatures. Professor Ki said, "Due to storage and distribution issues, general hospitals cannot administer the vaccine," adding, "It must be decided whether to vaccinate at tertiary hospitals equipped with facilities and medical staff or to select a separate large venue where vaccinees can go to get vaccinated."

In this case, the specific process of how to move the elderly in nursing hospitals, who urgently need vaccination, must also be established. The government plans to prioritize vaccination for vulnerable groups, healthcare workers, and essential service personnel. Professor Ki said, "Because moving the vaccine itself is risky, the most likely method is to vaccinate at fixed locations without moving the vaccine as much as possible," adding, "However, since confirmed cases are rapidly increasing in nursing hospitals and the elderly vulnerable group finds it difficult to go directly to vaccination sites, these factors must also be considered."

At a briefing held the day before, the quarantine authorities said, "We are pursuing ways to urgently secure vaccines produced abroad or domestically," and "We are currently preparing overall supply and transportation systems that can maintain the cold chain and ensure safe vaccination." They also said, "Preparations for vaccination centers and related parts about where to vaccinate have begun," and "We are organizing who will be vaccinated first, which age groups and classes will be prioritized, and will soon disclose details."

Surge in Confirmed Cases and Medical Resource Limits
Only 8 ICU Beds in the Metropolitan Area

With the recent surge in new confirmed cases, the shortage of hospital beds is becoming severe. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), as of the previous day, only 48 intensive care unit (ICU) beds for severe COVID-19 patients are available nationwide. The situation is even more precarious in the metropolitan area. Currently, there are only 8 ICU beds in the metropolitan area: 5 in Seoul and 3 in Incheon. There are no ICU beds immediately available for critical patients in the Gyeonggi area, where confirmed cases are rapidly increasing. Daejeon, Chungnam, and Jeonbuk also have no ICU beds left.

Professor Eom Jung-sik of Gachon University Gil Medical Center's Department of Infectious Diseases said, "With the sudden surge in confirmed cases, we have already reached the limits of medical resources such as hospital beds and medical staff," adding, "The government's prompt introduction of vaccines is the best method."

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