Government to Sign Contract with Moderna for 20 Million Doses Possibly as Early as Today

Supply Target from Q2 Next Year... 100% Vaccine Ratio Expected Relative to Population

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The government is expected to finalize a contract with the U.S. pharmaceutical company Moderna to supply 20 million doses of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine starting from the second quarter of next year, possibly as early as the 31st.

A senior government official stated, "The government is in the final stages of completing the contract to secure 20 million doses of the vaccine with Moderna, aiming to conclude it within this year," adding, "The contract for 20 million doses is currently being processed by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), and a decision on whether to finalize it could be made as early as today." The KDCA plans to hold a briefing this afternoon at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to announce the status and details of the vaccine contract with Moderna.

By signing a supply contract for 20 million doses?double the initially planned 10 million doses?with Moderna, South Korea will secure a total of 56 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. The government had previously completed contracts for 36 million doses, including AstraZeneca (10 million doses), COVAX Facility (10 million doses), Janssen (6 million doses), and Pfizer (10 million doses). It is expected to finalize and announce an additional supply contract with Moderna (20 million doses) as early as today.

Once the vaccine contracts are completed, South Korea’s vaccine supply ratio relative to its population will exceed 100%, alleviating concerns about securing sufficient quantities. In particular, the acquisition of 20 million doses from Moderna significantly increases the vaccine supply, fulfilling the conditions necessary for achieving herd immunity.

The government plans to begin vaccinations with the AstraZeneca vaccine in February next year, prioritizing 1 million people including healthcare workers and elderly residents in group facilities such as nursing hospitals. Additionally, within the first quarter, vaccines will be procured through the international project for joint vaccine purchase and distribution, the 'COVAX Facility.' Vaccinations with Moderna and Janssen vaccines will start in the second quarter (April to June), and Pfizer vaccines are scheduled to be introduced in the third quarter (July to September). The government aims to complete vaccinations for 1,000 high-risk individuals, including those aged 65 and older and adults with chronic diseases, within the first half of the year.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting, "A therapeutic drug developed by our companies entered the approval review process a few days ago, and vaccinations with overseas-developed vaccines will begin as early as February," adding, "The COVID-19 vaccine we are independently developing is expected to be available to the public around the end of next year." Prime Minister Chung emphasized, "With a solid K-quarantine foundation and the sequential addition of therapeutics and vaccines, we will be able to overcome COVID-19 earlier than any other country."

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