[In-Depth Look] How to Survive the Vaccine Diplomatic War

The vaccine diplomatic war is beginning. Even the United States, a strategic ally, prioritizes the safety of its own citizens and does not seem likely to provide vaccines to us immediately. The U.S. is signaling that overseas vaccine support is possible only when we join the new political and economic order they are leading.

The alternative for Korea to overcome the vaccine shortage situation is ultimately to ride along with the political and economic interests of the United States. Any diplomatic policy that threatens the safety, livelihood, and happiness of the people suffering from COVID-19 is now meaningless. Spring flowers fill the mountains and fields. The public is also growing weary of quarantine measures and social distancing. Achieving herd immunity through vaccination is the only urgent solution.

The EU secured enough vaccines to cover its population for two years by contracting with Pfizer to supply an additional 1.8 billion doses by 2023. Korea is at risk of falling behind not only in securing additional doses for booster shots (third doses) but also in acquiring the vaccines needed immediately. If the U.S. does not cooperate, consideration should be given to importing Russian vaccines as well.

AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccines reportedly account for 59% of the vaccines to be introduced in the first half of the year. If a vaccine is unreliable, the government cannot force citizens to get vaccinated. The government must monitor information on preventive effects, side effects, and approval trends from foreign agencies such as the European Medicines Agency (EMA). As a contract condition for procurement, it is necessary to pre-decide and include provisions allowing withdrawal if vaccination approval is not granted. Active consideration should also be given to contract manufacturing through technology transfer agreements with vaccine manufacturers and suppliers. This would facilitate domestic supply and, furthermore, allow technology transfer to the domestic industry, which is beneficial.

Like the flu, the emergence of viruses such as COVID-19 and vaccination will become part of our daily lives. What has been argued so far may be obvious. However, what I want to emphasize is the establishment of a national-level organization and system responsible for vaccine development and production that can respond continuously to such viruses. For this, a legal and institutional framework to continuously support vaccine research organizations must first be standardized. In addition to the existing research system, it is necessary to introduce and utilize an innovative, rapid, and efficient research support system using artificial intelligence (AI) to detect variant viruses and complete the immune system.

We must preliminarily identify the needs of domestic and international medical and research fields and our research capabilities and levels. Then, securing and classifying large-scale data to create a specialized vaccine information management system (vaccine development MIS) should be a prerequisite. Furthermore, it is necessary to build an R2C model that communicates with patients to find solutions for various side effects occurring after vaccination, ensuring patient satisfaction. An open collaborative support system for vaccine development with domestic and international pharmaceutical companies is also important. A sustainable contract system that fairly distributes achievements among participating organizations must precede this.

The development and response system that can win the war against a gunless virus is now a matter of survival. Preparations and actions equivalent to self-defense must begin now.

Kim Ikseong, Professor at Dongduk Women’s University · Honorary President of the Korea Distribution Science Association

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