"Advance Vaccination Timing"... Government Launches 'Vaccine All-Out Effort' Amid Growing Accountability Concerns (Comprehensive)

Janssen Supply Increased by 2 Million Doses, Total Contract Reaches 6 Million Doses
General Public Vaccination Expected to Start in the Second Half of Next Year

[Asia Economy reporters Seo So-jung and Cho Hyun-ui] The government has signed purchase contracts for COVID-19 vaccines with Janssen and Pfizer, completing contracts for vaccines sufficient for 26 million people to date. Vaccinations with the AstraZeneca vaccine, for which purchase contracts were previously completed, are expected to begin between February and March next year, followed by Janssen in the second quarter and Pfizer in the third quarter. As the number of confirmed cases recently fluctuates above 1,000 and criticism arises over the delayed vaccine introduction compared to advanced countries, the government, under pressure, is mobilizing all its capabilities to advance the vaccination schedule.

Securing an Additional 2 Million Doses of Janssen
Additional Procurement Amid Global Vaccine Competition

The government has increased the contract quantity for Janssen from the initially agreed 4 million doses to a total of 6 million doses. This additional procurement was made as countries including the United States intensified efforts to secure more vaccines. On the 8th, the government announced that it had secured up to 44 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines through global pharmaceutical companies and multinational coalitions. Initially, the quantities per vaccine manufacturer were 20 million doses of AstraZeneca (for 10 million people), 20 million doses of Pfizer (for 10 million people), 4 million doses of Janssen (for 4 million people), and 20 million doses of Moderna (for 10 million people). An additional 10 million doses are planned to be imported through the international project for joint vaccine purchase and distribution, the 'COVAX facility.' With the recent additional contract of 2 million doses with Janssen, the total procurement volume increases to 46 million doses.

As COVID-19 vaccinations have begun in countries such as the UK and the US, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), responsible for domestic approval, is also accelerating its process. On the 22nd, MFDS announced that Janssen had applied for a preliminary review before submitting its COVID-19 vaccine approval application. This is the third time a global vaccine company has requested a preliminary review of non-clinical trial and quality data, following Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines, aiming to minimize the review period after the formal approval application. MFDS stated, "The dedicated approval review team, the 'Virus Vector Vaccine Team,' will review the toxicity, pharmacology, and quality data of the Janssen vaccine," adding, "We will secure time to review the vaccine's safety and efficacy and strive to shorten the review period as much as possible."

It is also expected that the overseas approval of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which South Korea may begin administering as early as February next year, could be granted within this year. According to the UK public broadcaster BBC, Professor John Bell of Oxford University said in an interview with BBC Radio 4 on the 23rd (local time), "The COVID-19 vaccine we developed will soon receive approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)," adding, "It is doubtful it will be approved on Christmas Day, but it should be shortly thereafter." The Telegraph reported that approval is expected to be agreed upon by the 28th or 29th. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for AstraZeneca is anticipated around late February or early March next year. If approval and vaccination proceed first in the UK and US, the Korean government can alleviate many safety concerns.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

General Public Vaccination in the Second Half of the Year
Health Society Urges Thorough Preparation for Rapid Vaccination

Vaccination for the general public in South Korea is likely to take place in the second half of next year. After vaccinating priority groups such as healthcare workers, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases, general vaccinations will proceed, meaning the timing for the general adult population to receive the COVID-19 vaccine will be even later.

According to the government, the priority vaccination target group includes about 36 million people, such as vulnerable populations to COVID-19 and essential social service workers. This accounts for about 78% of the total 46 million doses secured by the government. While at least 30 countries, including major advanced countries like the US, UK, and the European Union (EU), as well as Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, have already started or are scheduled to start vaccinations this month, criticism has arisen that the government’s late entry into the vaccine procurement race has delayed the start of vaccinations.

Experts agree that achieving 'herd immunity' by vaccinating over 60% of the total population is crucial. They emphasize that vaccinations should begin sequentially with any vaccine, regardless of the manufacturer, including AstraZeneca and Janssen, for which contracts have been completed. The Korean Society of Health, chaired by Professor Yoon Young-ho of Seoul National University College of Medicine, stressed that vaccinations should start in February next year. The society stated, "If the timing is missed, the sacrifices will be too great, so the government must make every effort to secure additional vaccines," adding, "Only a rapid start and completion of vaccination can overcome this crisis." Furthermore, they urged, "The president should declare now that vaccinations will begin on February 1 next year and be completed nationwide by June."

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