"Israel Provides 700,000 Doses of Pfizer Vaccine to Korea"

Planning to maintain the same volume in September and October

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Israel will provide 700,000 doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine to South Korea. Israel will deliver some of the remaining doses, and South Korea will repay the Pfizer vaccines supplied later.

On the 6th (local time), Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced the contract with South Korea, saying, "We have signed a 'win-win' contract that guarantees vaccine procurement," according to local media Haaretz and The Jerusalem Post.

Israel plans to start delivering vaccines to South Korea soon and complete the delivery by the end of this month. Haaretz reported, "Israel is expected to receive the same amount of Pfizer vaccines from South Korea in September to October."

The contract was reportedly facilitated with the help of Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer. Prime Minister Bennett expressed gratitude, saying, "I thank CEO Bourla, a warm Jewish person who loves Israel."

Earlier last month, the Palestinian Authority (PA) agreed to receive 1 million doses of Israel's remaining vaccines but rejected them, citing that they did not meet their standards. Subsequently, Israel negotiated vaccine swaps with the UK, the Czech Republic, and others, with South Korea ultimately becoming the recipient country.

The reduction in supply from 1 million to 700,000 doses was because Israel wanted to sufficiently reserve doses for vaccinating 12 to 15-year-olds, Haaretz reported. Israel is currently focusing on vaccinating 12 to 15-year-olds in response to the spread of the Delta variant.

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