Contracted Vaccines with Janssen and Pfizer... Bringing in a Total of 16 Million Doses

Government Secures a Total of 46 Million Doses Including Moderna for Vaccination Starting Q2 Next Year

[Asia Economy Reporters Kwangho Lee and Sojeong Seo] The government has signed purchase agreements for COVID-19 vaccines with global pharmaceutical companies Janssen and Pfizer. The total amount is enough for 16 million people, including 10 million doses from Pfizer and 6 million doses from Janssen, with vaccinations set to begin sequentially from the second quarter of next year.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the 24th, "Yesterday, we signed purchase agreements for COVID-19 vaccines with Janssen and Pfizer."

Prime Minister Chung said, "In the case of Janssen, we contracted for a total of 6 million doses, which is 2 million more than the originally planned amount," and added, "Vaccinations will begin from the second quarter of next year." Regarding the Pfizer vaccine, he explained, "We contracted for 10 million doses, which will arrive starting from the third quarter of next year," and added, "We are mobilizing national-level capabilities to bring the delivery schedule forward to within the second quarter."

He emphasized, "Vaccinations have already started in several countries such as the UK and the US. Most of these countries are in urgent need of vaccines," and added, "The government will carefully examine whether the vaccines administered first are safe and sufficiently effective so that the public can receive vaccinations with peace of mind as soon as possible." He also stated, "Although the legal authority to purchase vaccines lies with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the responsibility for vaccines is not limited to one ministry but is a commitment of the entire government."

Prime Minister Chung urged people to refrain from gatherings during the Christmas holiday. He said, "Although this is a time when places are crowded with meetings and gatherings, unfortunately, for this year, please reduce movement and postpone meetings for the sake of health and safety." He also earnestly requested, "I sincerely ask all citizens to join in unity in the '11-day pause' that started today," and informed, "While the public is asked to pause, the government and local governments will not rest."

As the spread of COVID-19 continues domestically, the number of new confirmed cases reached 985 as of midnight, approaching the 1,000 mark. Although the number of new cases dropped back to three digits after two days, new cluster infections are rapidly occurring in medical institutions and nursing facilities, making it difficult to curb the spread. Starting today, the government has implemented special year-end and New Year quarantine measures, including banning gatherings of five or more people in restaurants nationwide, suspending operations of winter sports facilities, and closing popular sunrise viewing spots.

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