Korean-made AstraZeneca Vaccine Supplied Worldwide

WHO, Emergency Use Authorization

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines produced in Korea will be supplied worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) approved the emergency use of the AstraZeneca vaccine on the 15th (local time). This approval granted separate usage authorizations for vaccines manufactured under contract by Korea's SK Bioscience and India's Serum Institute (SII).

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated in a virtual press briefing that "SK Bioscience and SII produce the same vaccine, but since they are different manufacturing sites, separate reviews and approvals were necessary."

WHO's emergency use approval is a prerequisite for supplying vaccines through the COVAX facility. The COVAX facility is a coalition established under the leadership of WHO and others to ensure equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

AstraZeneca is a major supplier to the COVAX facility, and the coalition plans to deliver 336 million doses of this vaccine to member countries in the first half of this year. Accordingly, vaccines produced in Korea and India are expected to be included in the supply list.

Currently, SK Bioscience is contract manufacturing the AstraZeneca vaccine at its plant in Andong, Gyeongbuk Province. Some of the 10 million doses contracted by the government with AstraZeneca are produced here.

SK Bioscience is the only domestic company equipped with a full lineup covering all stages of COVID-19 vaccine development, production, and distribution. Vaccines approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, including AstraZeneca and the U.S. Novavax, are shipped from the Andong plant when produced domestically.

WHO Director-General Ghebreyesus explained, "(This approval) was completed within just four weeks from the time WHO received the full documentation from the manufacturer," adding, "WHO's emergency use listing evaluates and guarantees the quality, safety, and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines." He further stated, "We need to increase (vaccine) production," urging vaccine developers to continue submitting relevant documents not only to high-income countries but also to WHO.

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