Prime Minister Jeong: "Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines Will Not Be Administered in the First Quarter"

"AstraZeneca to Vaccinate by March at the Latest... Regardless of FDA Approval"
In Response to Criticism Over Vaccine Contract Delays: "Few Cases in July, So No Plans to Increase Vaccine Dependence"

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun held an emergency press conference on the 29th at the briefing room of the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, announcing strengthened quarantine measures related to the third wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun stated on the 20th that, regarding the COVID-19 vaccination plan, vaccines from Pfizer, Janssen, and Moderna will be difficult to administer in the first quarter, except for the AstraZeneca vaccine, for which supply contracts have already been completed.

On the same day, appearing on 'KBS Sunday Diagnosis,' Prime Minister Chung responded to the question, "Is there a possibility of administering Pfizer, Janssen, and Moderna vaccines in the first quarter?" by saying, "Currently, there is none," and added, "Contracts with those companies are imminent, but there is no promise of supply in the first quarter."

Instead, Prime Minister Chung explained that the AstraZeneca vaccine "will begin to be administered as early as February, and at the latest by March."

He stated, "Vaccine supply contracts are made on a quarterly basis, and currently, Korea is promised to receive supplies starting from the first quarter," adding, "The government wants to start vaccinations from February, but there is no promise as to when during the first quarter the supply will arrive."

He further explained that the 10 million doses of vaccine will not all arrive in the first quarter but will be imported sequentially.

Prime Minister Chung said, "The Korea Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine early next year," and explained that once this is done, vaccinations can proceed regardless of the approval status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Regarding criticism that Korea is late compared to other countries in securing vaccines, he said, "When the government launched the vaccine task force (TF) in July, the number of confirmed cases domestically was around 100, so there was a perspective of not heavily relying on vaccines."

He added, "On the other hand, countries with many confirmed cases, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, advanced development costs to pharmaceutical companies. Pharmaceutical companies inevitably differentiate between such countries. That is why vaccine contracts were somewhat delayed."

Regarding the issue of securing hospital beds due to the surge in confirmed cases, he stated, "We are working to secure 10,000 beds, including life treatment centers, dedicated hospitals, and intensive care units for severe patients."

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