Government: "Secured a total of 99 million doses through additional Pfizer vaccine contract... Focused on vaccination (Comprehensive)"

1.9 Times the Population... "44 Million People Can Complete Second Vaccination by September"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] As concerns over the supply of COVID-19 vaccines persist, the government has secured an additional 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

The total number of vaccine doses secured by South Korea has increased to 192 million doses (99 million people). This amount is sufficient to vaccinate 2.75 times the target population of 36 million people needed to achieve herd immunity.

Kwon Deok-cheol, head of the Vaccine Introduction Task Force (Minister of Health and Welfare), announced at a joint emergency briefing on COVID-19 vaccine procurement on the 24th, "We have signed an additional purchase contract for 40 million doses (20 million people) of the Pfizer vaccine."

Head of the TF Kwon explained, "The vaccines secured by South Korea this year amount to about 100 million people’s worth, specifically 192 million doses (99 million people). This is approximately twice the entire population of 50 million and about three times the 36 million people needed for herd immunity."

Kwon Deok-cheol: "It is time to focus on vaccination rather than worrying about supply shortages"
Expansion of vaccination targets under 18 and preparation for third-dose demand

TF Head Kwon stated, "Although the initially planned 79 million doses are sufficient to achieve herd immunity, this additional vaccine purchase lays the foundation to advance the timing of achieving herd immunity. It also allows us to proactively prepare for future additional demands such as expanding vaccination targets to those under 18 and third doses to respond to variant viruses."

He emphasized, "Rather than excessively worrying about supply shortages, it is time to focus on vaccination. Creating unfounded anxiety about vaccine supply and safety does not help quarantine efforts or public safety at all."

Since forming the government-wide Vaccine Introduction Task Force on the 1st to manage COVID-19 vaccine supply, the government has continued diplomatic efforts, including meetings with various vaccine manufacturers. To finalize this contract, TF Head Kwon held video conferences with Pfizer on the 9th and 23rd.

This year, Pfizer vaccines will be supplied in a total of 66 million doses (33 million people), combining the initially planned 26 million doses and the additional 40 million doses contracted.

So far, 1.75 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine have been supplied, and including this, 7 million doses are expected to be supplied by the end of June. From the third quarter, 59 million doses will be supplied sequentially.

This year, South Korea has secured a total of 192 million doses (99 million people) of COVID-19 vaccines. Through the international joint procurement project 'COVAX Facility,' 10 million people’s doses were purchased, and contracts for 89 million people’s doses were made with individual pharmaceutical companies. The quantities by manufacturer are Pfizer 33 million people’s doses, AstraZeneca 10 million, Janssen 6 million, Moderna 20 million, and Novavax 20 million.

This amount is approximately 1.9 times the entire population of South Korea and 2.75 times the vaccination target of 36 million people needed for herd immunity.

Goal of vaccinating 12 million people in the first half achieved
Novavax, Moderna, Janssen supply starting July

First, the government plans to make every effort to achieve the vaccination target of 12 million people with the 18.09 million doses confirmed for delivery by the end of June.

Currently, 3.87 million doses of AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines, which are being administered, have been supplied, and a total of 18.09 million doses are expected to be supplied by the second quarter.

The government plans to strengthen inter-agency cooperation to supply up to 20.8 million doses by additionally introducing some Novavax, Moderna, and Janssen vaccines within the first half of the year.

Starting in July, not only AstraZeneca and Pfizer but also Novavax, Moderna, and Janssen vaccines will be supplied in earnest.

The agreed quantity by the end of September is about 80 million doses, and combined with the first half supply, about 100 million doses of vaccines are expected to be supplied by the end of September.

This amount is sufficient to vaccinate more than 50 million people, and if supply proceeds smoothly, the doses available by the end of September alone will be enough to vaccinate all 44 million people aged 18 and over.

Lee Ki-il, head of the government-wide Vaccine Introduction TF support team, explained, "The 44 million people’s worth of doses secured by the end of September assumes vaccination targets aged 18 and over and is enough for two doses, not just one." Among the vaccines introduced in South Korea, except for Janssen, all four require two doses.

TF Head Kwon said, "The government will spare no effort in quarantine, vaccine procurement, and vaccination to restore the precious daily lives of the people," and earnestly requested, "We sincerely ask the public to trust the government’s plans and guidance on vaccine procurement and vaccination and to actively cooperate."

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