Went to the US for 'Moderna Expedition' but Returned Empty-Handed...Only Apologies Without Clear Answers

Gang Do-tae, Vice Minister of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, "Apologized for Moderna's vaccine supply disruption, agreed to receive a specific supply schedule by this week"
Samsung Biologics' contract manufacturing shipment also remains uncertain

Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Kang Do-tae Returning to Korea
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Regarding the disruption in the supply of COVID-19 vaccines, the government visited Moderna in the United States to protest and request early supply, but returned empty-handed without a definite answer, sparking controversy. The shipment of finished Moderna vaccines, which Samsung Biologics is contract-manufacturing, remains uncertain within September.

Kang Do-tae, Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, announced the results of the meeting between the Korean delegation and Moderna during a briefing at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters on the morning of the 17th. The key outcomes of the delegation's activities revealed by Vice Minister Kang were ▲ Moderna's apology for the disruption in vaccine supply ▲ increased supply within August and early supply in September. However, the exact quantity and timing of the supply were not specified.

The meeting lasted about three hours on the 13th (local time). On the Korean side, Vice Minister Kang and Ryu Geun-hyeok, Social Policy Secretary of the Blue House, attended, while Moderna was represented by eight people including Corinne Le Goff, Chief Commercial Officer, and Paul Burton, Chief Medical Officer. Vice Minister Kang stated, "Moderna apologized during the meeting for causing difficulties to the Korean government and people due to the sudden vaccine supply disruption," and added, "They explained that the laboratory issues causing the disruption have been mostly resolved."

Regarding the disruption in the supply of COVID-19 vaccines, the delegation dispatched by the government visited Moderna in the United States to lodge a protest but did not receive a definite answer. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Previously, Moderna had initially planned to supply 8.5 million doses domestically in August but unilaterally notified a reduction to less than half due to production issues. At that time, Health and Welfare Minister Kwon Deok-cheol said in response to a question about whether the supply disruption could be resolved, "We will dispatch a delegation to obtain a firm commitment." However, the commitment mentioned by Minister Kwon was omitted in this announcement.

Vice Minister Kang said, "Moderna stated that to restore trust with Korea, they will do their best to supply more doses than previously notified and to provide early supply in September," adding, "They will notify the specific quantity and supply schedule by the end of this week."

The shipment of Moderna vaccines contract-manufactured by Samsung Biologics within September also remains uncertain. The government conveyed the opinion to Moderna that it would be desirable to prioritize supplying domestically contract-manufactured vaccines to Korea. However, both sides agreed only to continue discussions considering the considerable time required for quality inspection and approval of the domestically contract-manufactured vaccines, without reaching an agreement.

When asked whether it is correct to assume that Samsung Biologics' finished product production in September is difficult, Vice Minister Kang answered, "Yes." He explained, "Please understand that there are procedural steps such as quality inspection and approval before producing finished products." He added, "The government plans to actively support production."

Meanwhile, the delegation emphasized, "It is still possible to achieve the goal of 70% vaccination rate for the entire population before October." Vice Minister Kang stated, "Regarding achieving the goal of over 70%, the vaccination plan was already revised earlier reflecting uncertainties in vaccine supply," and added, "We believe the goal is achievable."

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