Jeong Eun-kyeong: "1.5 Million Doses of AstraZeneca Vaccine Produced Domestically to Be Supplied by the End of This Month" (Update)

"Pfizer Special Import Scheduled... Vaccination Immediately Upon Arrival in Korea"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] SK Bioscience's 1.5 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine produced domestically will be supplied by the end of this month.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at the regular briefing on the 1st, "1.5 million doses (single-dose) of AstraZeneca vaccine produced by SK Bioscience in Korea are scheduled to be supplied this month," adding, "We are currently scheduling the supply for the end of February."

Jung also said, "117,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine through the COVAX Facility will arrive after mid-February," and "The Pfizer vaccine will be specially imported following the WHO emergency use authorization status and joint expert consultations by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety."

The first recipients of the Pfizer vaccine will be medical staff treating COVID-19 patients, selected by the Vaccination Expert Committee at the end of last month.

The government plans to expedite related procedures to ensure the prompt introduction of the Pfizer vaccine and to prepare thoroughly for immediate vaccination upon its arrival in the country.

Jung stated, "We expect to receive at least about 2.6 million doses and up to about 4.4 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX Facility in the first half of the year," adding, "Detailed information will be provided once the supply schedule is finalized."

Although vaccination with Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines will begin this month, the exact timing has not yet been determined.

Jung explained, "Since the vaccine quantities are managed through the COVAX Facility and UNICEF is responsible for distribution, the transportation schedule must be set after consultations with international organizations," adding, "It is difficult to confirm the exact date the vaccines will arrive in Korea, so which vaccine (Pfizer or AstraZeneca) will be administered first depends on the finalized supply schedule."

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