Only 11.4% of Vaccines Confirmed for Introduction in the First Half... Half of Them Are AZ Amid Blood Clot Controversy

<Domestic COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Emergency>
Current supply: 1,811,500 doses
Only 2.3% of total planned volume

Deputy Prime Minister Hong: "12 million vaccinations completed in first half"
Shortfall of 3 million doses from target

Moderna, Janssen, Novavax
Delivery schedules still unknown

Increase in confirmed cases spreading anxiety
Variant viruses also rising

Medical staff at Jungnang-gu Public Health Center in Seoul holding the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine for vaccination.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Chae-eun Koo, Ji-hee Kim, Chun-hee Lee] The ruling party's consideration of a 'vaccine special envoy' appears to be driven by concerns over the recent instability in domestic COVID-19 vaccine supply. Both opposition parties and factions within the ruling party are increasingly recognizing that "if things continue as they are, achieving herd immunity by November will be impossible."

Moreover, with various variant virus infections confirmed domestically, worries about a 'fourth wave' are growing. Coupled with vaccine nationalism from major vaccine-producing countries, an emergency situation has arisen regarding vaccine procurement.

'Only 2.3% Introduced'... Unstable Vaccine Supply

As of the 19th, the government has announced plans to procure vaccines sufficient for 79 million people. By product, this includes ▲AstraZeneca (AZ) for 10 million people ▲Pfizer for 13 million people ▲Moderna for 20 million people ▲Novavax for 20 million people ▲Janssen for 6 million people. Additionally, 10 million doses are planned to be procured through the global vaccine joint purchase project, COVAX Facility.

Among these, only 1,811,500 doses have been introduced domestically as of this date, which is merely 2.3% of the total planned volume. Even when combining all volumes with confirmed procurement plans for the first half of this year, it amounts to only 9,044,000 doses (11.4%). More than half of this is the AZ vaccine, totaling 5,337,000 doses, which has been restricted from administration to those under 30 due to controversies over 'rare thrombosis accompanied by thrombocytopenia.'

Hong Nam-ki, Acting Prime Minister, stated on this day, "The goal is to vaccinate 3 million people by April and 12 million people by the first half of the year." However, 3 million doses are still lacking to meet this target. The government is negotiating to procure an additional 2,712,000 doses and has proposed using the second dose of the AZ vaccine earlier than scheduled, but most views remain skeptical about achieving the goal.

In January, President Moon Jae-in visited the SK Bioscience factory in Andong, Gyeongbuk, and held up the COVID-19 vaccine produced there. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Other than AZ and Pfizer, the introduction schedules for other vaccines remain uncertain. The Novavax vaccine, initially planned for introduction starting next month, has had its finished product production delayed until June due to global supply issues with vaccine raw materials and components, despite being produced under contract domestically. The introduction schedules for Janssen and Moderna vaccines have yet to be confirmed.

The government's reversal of its previous strategy of remaining silent until negotiations were complete?by revealing that negotiations for 'domestic vaccine contract manufacturing in August' are underway?reflects the urgency of the situation.

As countries worldwide strengthen vaccine nationalism and discussions about 'booster shots' to counter variants continue, bringing vaccines into the country has become even more difficult. In particular, the introduction of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna, which are relatively popular due to fewer adverse reactions post-vaccination, is expected to face greater challenges as the U.S. pursues booster shots not only for variant response but also to enhance immunity itself.

Over 500 Cases Despite Weekend Effect

On the 19th, citizens are waiting to get tested at the COVID-19 screening clinic set up at Jungnang-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

Amid the emergency in vaccine supply, anxiety is spreading as the spark of a fourth wave of COVID-19 in Korea remains unextinguished.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on this day, 532 people tested positive out of 34,824 tests conducted. If the number of tests increases, daily cases could rise to the 700-800 range. The positivity rate, which indicates the proportion of positive cases among all tested individuals, has steadily increased from 1.13% in the third week of March to 1.53% last week (April 5?11).

The increasing number of variant virus cases confirmed domestically is also a cause for concern. In addition to the three major variants from the UK, South Africa, and Brazil, a double variant (B.1.617) from India has now been detected in Korea.

According to the Central Accident Response Headquarters, among 94 confirmed cases entering from India since January this year, 9 cases of the Indian variant have been identified. As of April 12, 379 cases of the three major variants have been confirmed domestically, and 118 cases of 'other variants,' including the California-origin variant whose epidemiological risk has not yet been confirmed, bring the total to 497 cases.

The political dispute over vaccine supply has also intensified. Park Dae-chul, a member of the People Power Party, pointed out the day before, "The 20 million doses of vaccines promised for the second quarter have not been heard of at all. The president must personally engage in vaccine diplomacy." Bae Jun-young, spokesperson for the same party, added, "Some people even suspect that President Moon Jae-in's video call with Moderna's CEO at the end of last year was a 'show.' Achieving herd immunity by November this year seems distant, and there are forecasts that it could take up to six years to reach herd immunity."

Within and outside the ruling party, there is a consensus on the necessity and urgency of 'vaccine diplomacy.' Lee Jae-myung, a leading presidential candidate from the ruling party and governor of Gyeonggi Province, mentioned considering independent vaccine procurement by local governments, and Yoon Ho-jung, the Democratic Party floor leader, identified stable vaccine supply as the top priority.

A key Democratic Party official stated, "Major advanced countries are expected to remove masks after June, so there is a strong will to secure vaccine supply firmly before then and to proceed with herd immunity smoothly by November."

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