Major Corporation Vaccine Switch from Moderna to Pfizer... Authorities Cite "Moderna Supply Schedule Change" (Comprehensive)

Notification About Ten Days Before Self-Vaccination... Confusion Due to Different Vaccine Dosing Intervals

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Dae-yeol and Seo So-jeong] Although large workplaces such as Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Group were scheduled to begin COVID-19 vaccination from the 27th, confusion is increasing on-site as authorities suddenly decided to change the vaccine type. Changing the vaccine also alters the vaccination interval, and since this decision was unilaterally pushed forward without considering the operational status at the sites, concerns have been raised that production schedules could be disrupted.

According to related industries on the 19th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), which is coordinating the vaccination schedule, informed the field staff responsible for vaccination at each workplace last week that the vaccine would be changed from Moderna to Pfizer. Previously, the health authorities and the Ministry of Employment and Labor had accepted applications from large workplaces willing to conduct their own vaccinations, and 43 sites with about 300,000 people were scheduled to start self-vaccination from the 27th. Workplaces operating 24 hours a day, where employees are exposed to the 3Cs (closed spaces, crowded places, close-contact settings) and thus vulnerable to infection, and that have affiliated clinics capable of self-vaccination were mainly included in the target group.

The problem lies in the vaccination interval. Both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines requiring two doses, but Moderna’s second dose is scheduled 4 weeks (28 days) after the first, while Pfizer’s is 3 weeks (21 days) later. Workplaces had arranged their operational shifts based on the previously announced Moderna vaccination schedule, but now, with only about ten days left, they face the need to completely reschedule factory operations.

An official from a major corporation said, "We have already adjusted the overall work schedule considering 1-2 days of vaccine leave after vaccination. In factories operating 24 hours with two or three shifts, the schedule must be tightly organized, so it is difficult to change the entire vaccination schedule in a short period." An industry insider added, "We have not yet received an official document from the KDCA and are still discussing at the working level, but it is true that pushing this unilaterally without considering on-site conditions is burdensome."

Self-vaccination at large workplaces was promoted as part of measures to accelerate herd immunity. The authorities supply the vaccines, and each workplace is responsible for administering them. Each workplace was also tasked with preparing the vaccination order, cold storage facilities for vaccines, and vaccination sites independently. Since the number of vaccinations per medical staff member is limited, some workplaces may find it difficult to change the vaccination interval.

As confusion on-site intensifies, the authorities reportedly decided to send an official letter today requesting cooperation. Some workplaces have inquired whether it is possible to maintain a 4-week interval for Pfizer vaccinations, similar to Moderna.

At the COVID-19 regular briefing on the same day, KDCA Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyung explained, "Currently, the total supply volume of Moderna vaccines for July remains unchanged, but the supply scheduled for the third week of July has been postponed to the last week of July due to quality inspection or delivery issues. Accordingly, the vaccine types for the 50s age group and those aged 50 and above at workplaces, who are scheduled to start vaccination from the 26th, have been expanded to include Pfizer."

Commissioner Jeong added, "If the vaccines are supplied in the last week of July, they will continue to be used for August vaccinations. However, since Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are managed on a weekly supply basis, if there are problems with quality or delivery schedules, some adjustments may be necessary. Therefore, the plan was changed and announced to use both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines together for vaccination."

She continued, "Regarding the vaccination plan for workplaces, the schedule to start vaccinations from the 27th will proceed as planned, but the vaccine type supplied will be changed to either Pfizer or Moderna after consultation with the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the workplaces, and the plan will be finalized accordingly."

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