Will I Go Home for Next Year's Seollal After Getting the COVID Vaccine?

Rapid Vaccination Plan for February-March Next Year
Priority Vaccination with AstraZeneca Vaccine
Detailed Implementation Plan to Be Prepared This Month
New Confirmed Cases Remain in the 1,000s for Three Consecutive Days

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] As the third wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues, the government has planned to start vaccinations as early as February next year. To this end, it decided to secure up to 44 million doses of vaccines at a cost of 1.3 trillion won. However, with vaccine orders pouring in simultaneously from various countries, the possibility of a delay in the 'February vaccination' cannot be ruled out.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) announced on the 18th that it plans to sequentially introduce COVID-19 vaccines from February to March next year and start vaccinations promptly. Lim In-taek, Director of the Health Industry Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, "Considering the national crisis situation, temporary vaccinations will be designated and implemented," adding, "We will prepare detailed implementation plans for vaccinations in December and thoroughly prepare to ensure rapid vaccinations after the initial introduction (February to March)."

Director Lim explained, "First, vaccinations for recommended target groups will be completed as much as possible by the fourth quarter of next year, before the influenza season," and added, "The target groups and detailed schedules will be flexibly adjusted considering supply volume, the domestic COVID-19 situation, foreign vaccination status and side effects, and public demand."

The government announced on the 8th that it secured up to 44 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines through global pharmaceutical companies and multinational alliances. It plans to secure 10 million doses through the international vaccine development and supply project 'COVAX Facility' and 34 million doses through individual negotiations with multinational pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Janssen, and Moderna. The purchase contract with AstraZeneca (20 million doses) has been completed first. Contracts with Janssen (4 million doses) and Pfizer (20 million doses) are targeted for December, and Moderna (20 million doses) for January.

The vaccine expected to be administered the earliest is the AstraZeneca vaccine. It is the only vaccine with a finalized contract so far, and the initial supply of AstraZeneca vaccines is subcontracted for production by SK Bioscience in Korea, making it easier to supply the doses. Director Lim emphasized, "AstraZeneca's vaccine development was the most advanced, so negotiations started first procedurally, leading to a quick contract," and added, "We have also signed purchase terms and supply confirmation letters with Pfizer and Janssen, which are procedural steps toward contract signing and have contract-equivalent effect."

The government will prepare detailed implementation plans for vaccinations within this month. Priority vaccination groups will include healthcare workers, residents and workers of group facilities, the elderly, adults with chronic diseases (aged 19?64, moderate or higher risk), staff and employees of child and youth education and care facilities, first responders to COVID-19, police officers, firefighters, and military personnel.

Since July, the government has been negotiating with Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Janssen, and Moderna to secure vaccines. It also signed subcontract manufacturing (CMO) contracts with AstraZeneca on July 21 and Novavax on August 13. Considering the goal of securing up to 44 million doses and vaccination rates, the vaccine purchase cost is about 1.3 trillion won, which will be funded through the existing budget and next year's contingency funds.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced that as of midnight on the same day, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased by 1,062 from the previous day to 47,515. The number of new confirmed cases exceeded 1,000 again on this day, following the 16th and 17th.

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