Government to Detail Next Week Plan for '550,000 Korean Troops' Vaccines Provided by US (Update)

"Vaccine Supply Plan to Be Delivered via Ministry of Foreign Affairs Next Week"
Domestic Expert Group for Korea-US Vaccine Cooperation to Be Established in Early June

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The supply plan for 550,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines that the U.S. government agreed to provide to our military personnel through the Korea-U.S. summit is expected to be finalized around next week. Additionally, a domestic expert group to support the implementation of vaccine cooperation between the two countries is planned to be established in early next month.

On the 25th, Kwon Deok-cheol, Minister of Health and Welfare, stated at a joint briefing with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, "The plan to provide 550,000 doses of vaccines to our military personnel, which the U.S. agreed to cooperate on, will be announced through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by next week." He added, "Through a separate meeting with U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, we agreed to strengthen mutual cooperation to ensure that vaccine cooperation between the two countries, as agreed upon at the summit, proceeds smoothly."

However, the vaccines will not be supplied directly to the country next week. The Ministry of Health and Welfare explained, "This means that guidance to provide 550,000 doses of vaccines as soon as possible will be given by next week."

Earlier, U.S. President Joe Biden promised support for 550,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines for the South Korean military during a joint press conference immediately after the summit. The specific type of vaccine and supply schedule are still under negotiation. Currently, our government has started administering the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine to 116,000 military personnel aged 30 and above since last month. The first dose for those aged 30 and above is currently in the final stages, and vaccinations for those under 30 are scheduled for next month.

He also conveyed plans to promptly establish an expert group to successfully build the Korea-U.S. global vaccine partnership. Minister Kwon emphasized, "Active participation and cooperation from the U.S. government and companies are essential regarding technology transfer to accelerate vaccine production, as well as the supply of vaccine raw materials and components. To this end, we will promptly establish the Korea-U.S. Global Vaccine Partnership Expert Group."

He continued, "The domestic group, including the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and private experts, is planned to be established by early next month," adding, "We will also negotiate to ensure the U.S. side establishes their group promptly."

Regarding criticism that the contract between Samsung Biologics and Moderna for COVID-19 mRNA vaccine contract manufacturing, concluded during the summit, only covers final product manufacturing and thus lacks substance, Minister Kwon clarified, "Final product manufacturing of vaccines is not simply packaging and sealing; it requires very important technical skills to maintain aseptic conditions, processes, and manufacturing quality."

He explained, "Because vaccine quality must be maintained until the end, technology transfer and cooperation regarding filling and processes from the original developer are carried out. Through this process, understanding of mRNA vaccine production will increase, and maintaining cooperative relationships will enhance technological capabilities for future vaccine production and development. We are currently working with domestic pharmaceutical companies to develop mRNA vaccines."

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