Authorities: "Supply schedule disrupted only with Moderna... No setback to 'herd immunity' in November"

Son Young-rae, Head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The quarantine authorities strongly condemned the "halving" incident of Moderna's August supply, stating that unlike Pfizer and AstraZeneca (AZ), such problems are occurring only with Moderna. However, they maintained the position that this supply schedule disruption does not yet constitute a breach of contract, and also stated that the goal of completing vaccination for over 70% of the population by November is still achievable.

On the 10th, Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at the regular briefing of the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, "It is the first time in the usual practices with pharmaceutical companies that the confirmed and notified supply schedules have encountered disruptions," adding, "The problem is occurring only with Moderna."

Son also said regarding the delegation to be dispatched to Moderna, led by Kang Do-tae, the 2nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, "It is necessary to strongly protest the current changes in the supply plan, and it is very important for the smooth operation of the vaccination plan to obtain what measures Moderna will devise to prevent recurrence and to secure commitments for recurrence prevention." He added, "To this end, a working-level delegation will be sent to the site to negotiate with Moderna."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

He maintained the position that it is difficult to judge the current supply schedule disruption with Moderna as a breach of contract. Son said, "If the supply of 20 million doses within this year is not met, it would constitute a violation of the most important contract terms, so I do not think that is the case." He reiterated the position that it is difficult to consider it a breach of contract since the year is not yet over.

Son said, "In the operation of the vaccination plans already announced, the current supply volume is sufficient for the supply of these vaccines, so vaccination reservations and schedules are proceeding without changes." He added, "If the Moderna vaccine supply after August proceeds as currently notified, we believe that the goal of completing vaccination for over 70% of the entire population by November can be achieved."

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