KDCA "Securing Budget for COVID-19 Vaccine Purchase and Vaccination Ancillary Costs"

Selection of 100 Freezers for Low-Temperature Storage and Distribution Companies This Month

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on the 12th that it has secured the budget related to the purchase cost of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines and the ancillary expenses for vaccination.

The cost for purchasing COVID-19 vaccines is 857.1 billion KRW, and the ancillary expenses for conducting vaccinations amount to 38 billion KRW.

The KDCA has initially secured 857.1 billion KRW to purchase vaccines developed overseas, and plans to sequentially pay the advance payment for the Moderna vaccine and the remaining balance for vaccines under purchase contracts to promote domestic supply. Additional necessary budgets for the remaining balance of vaccines for 56 million people contracted by the government will be continuously discussed with financial authorities to secure funding.

Also, approximately 35.6 billion KRW has been secured for items such as freezers and syringes needed for vaccine storage and administration, vaccine distribution, and the establishment of an integrated vaccination management system. The KDCA plans to complete the distribution, storage, and management system before vaccinations begin.

mRNA vaccines such as Pfizer need to be stored at around minus 70 degrees Celsius, and Moderna vaccines at minus 20 degrees Celsius, requiring separate freezers. The KDCA plans to purchase 100 units initially in January and complete installation of 250 units within the first quarter. The procurement of equipment and supplies such as syringes necessary for vaccination is underway through the Public Procurement Service.

Contracts with distribution companies to ensure safe delivery of vaccines to vaccination institutions are expected to be finalized in January. A response management system is being established to maintain real-time cold chain during vaccine distribution and storage.

An integrated management system for public information provision on COVID-19 vaccination, management of vaccination targets, and reservations is also being developed. Approximately 2.4 billion KRW has been secured for public vaccination promotion, training of vaccination personnel, and call center operation.

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the KDCA, said, "The 56 million doses of vaccines contracted by the government will be introduced gradually from February, and preparations are underway to enable immediate vaccination." She added, "Once the COVID-19 vaccination plan is finalized, we will ensure that vaccinations proceed smoothly."

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