Pfizer Vaccine to Be Available at Hospitals in July... Authorities "Will Gather Medical Community Opinions Next Week"

"Review of the Scope of Pfizer Vaccination Delegated Medical Institutions After Gathering Opinions"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The government will begin gathering opinions from the medical community starting in July to expand the institutions administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

The COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team (Promotion Team) announced on the 13th, "From the 14th, we plan to collect opinions from the medical community and local governments regarding the administration of the Pfizer vaccine at entrusted medical institutions," adding, "After gathering opinions, we will review the scope of entrusted medical institutions authorized to administer the Pfizer vaccine."

Previously, the government stated that starting in July, the vaccination institutions would be expanded to allow Pfizer vaccine administration not only at nationwide vaccination centers but also at general hospitals and other entrusted medical institutions.

Currently, there are approximately 12,800 entrusted medical institutions nationwide administering AstraZeneca (AZ) and Janssen vaccines.

On the 31st of last month, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety completed the approval change regarding the storage period after thawing for the Pfizer vaccine, somewhat improving the convenience of storing the Pfizer vaccine. Previously, the Pfizer vaccine could be stored unopened at 2?8 degrees Celsius for up to 5 days after thawing, but with the recent change, this period has been extended to a maximum of 31 days.

The Promotion Team has stated that with the change in storage methods, starting in July, they plan to promote Pfizer vaccine administration not only at vaccination centers but also at approximately 1,500 entrusted medical institutions nationwide.

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