Securing and Introducing Vaccine Supplies with 1.5 Trillion KRW... KDCA Allocates 3.3585 Trillion KRW in Supplementary Budget

This Year, KDCA's Total Expenditure Increases to 6.6986 Trillion Won

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on the 1st that the second supplementary budget bill amounting to 3.3585 trillion KRW was approved at the temporary Cabinet meeting. This budget focuses on supporting stable COVID-19 vaccination and quarantine response efforts.

First, nearly 2 trillion KRW was additionally allocated for the implementation of COVID-19 vaccinations. A total of 1.5237 trillion KRW was assigned to ensure the rapid and sufficient procurement and introduction of COVID-19 vaccines. This includes the purchase cost for 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which was additionally contracted in April to prepare for international supply uncertainties and the expansion of vaccination targets to those under 18 years old. It also covers advance payments required for domestic and international vaccine contracts to be introduced next year for booster shots and variant virus responses.

Additionally, 295.7 billion KRW was allocated to support national vaccination implementation costs related to vaccination promotion using private consigned medical institutions in the second half of the year. However, approximately 66.28 million vaccination sessions at consigned medical institutions this year exclude 15 million sessions already budgeted. Operating expenses of 56.4 billion KRW for a total of 282 vaccination centers, including the existing 266 centers and 16 additional centers planned for the second half, as well as medical personnel wages amounting to 155.7 billion KRW, will also be supported.

160 billion KRW was allocated for compensation support in case of adverse reactions caused by COVID-19 vaccination. The budget also includes 2 billion KRW to support appropriate treatment costs (up to 10 million KRW) for severe cases where causality evidence is insufficient but reviewed.

Support for COVID-19 quarantine response is also included. An additional 1.0739 trillion KRW was allocated for COVID-19 diagnostic testing costs, including screening clinics, temporary screening testing sites, and proactive testing. Living support expenses of 171.5 billion KRW and paid leave costs of 63 billion KRW for hospitalized or isolated individuals who received self-quarantine notices due to COVID-19 are also included.

Accordingly, the total expenditure of the KDCA this year increased from 3.3401 trillion KRW to 6.6986 trillion KRW.

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the KDCA, stated, “To achieve herd immunity by November, we will ensure stable vaccine supply and smooth vaccination in the second half of the year without any shortages, while also making every effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and strengthen quarantine responses.”

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