Authorities: "Moderna vaccine supply scheduled for July delayed to August due to production issues... No impact on vaccination for ages 18-49" (Update)

August supply differs from July and manufacturing site, proceeding as planned

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The supply of Moderna vaccines scheduled for domestic distribution in July has been delayed to August due to production disruptions in Europe. As a result, there is an increased possibility that the vaccine for the target groups planning to receive Moderna in July and August will be changed.

Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at the COVID-19 regular briefing on the 27th, "Recently, Moderna informed us that the vaccine supply originally scheduled for July must be rescheduled due to production issues," adding, "We are currently discussing the detailed schedule."

He continued, "According to Moderna, the supply originally planned for the end of July has been rescheduled to August," and said, "We will continue to negotiate with the contracting company regarding the July supply to finalize the delivery schedule and provide prompt guidance within the scope of what can be disclosed."

However, the authorities emphasized that the August supply of Moderna vaccines is expected to proceed as originally planned.

Jung Eun-young, head of the Vaccine Introduction Office at the Central Accident Response Headquarters, said, "The August supply will proceed as planned because the manufacturing sites for the July and August supplies are different," and added, "Currently, the raw material production for Moderna vaccines introduced domestically is carried out by Lonza in Switzerland, and the filling is done by a company in Spain."

Jung explained, "This production-related issue is not limited to South Korea but is a common problem affecting all countries receiving supplies from the manufacturing site," and added, "We have not yet discussed the disclosure aspects with the pharmaceutical company regarding the August supply. We will disclose what can be shared after consultation, but it will not be Europe."

Regarding the delay in the Novavax vaccine scheduled for supply in the third quarter, Jung said, "Although Novavax vaccines are included in the September supply, there is some delay due to the time required for Novavax approval," and added, "Even excluding the Novavax vaccine, we believe that first-dose vaccinations for 36 million people can be carried out with the third-quarter supply."

The authorities expect no significant issues with the vaccination of the 18-49 age group scheduled for August despite the disruption in Moderna supply.

Kim Ki-nam, head of the Vaccination Planning Division at the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, said, "Some of the quantities scheduled to arrive in July have been rescheduled to August. If the quantities are introduced as planned in August, the ongoing vaccinations for people in their 50s and the planned vaccinations for the 18-49 age group in August can proceed smoothly as scheduled," adding, "We plan to announce detailed plans for August this Friday."

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