Government: Moderna Vaccines Provided by Romania Are Not Donations... 'Swap' Negotiations Underway

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine [Image Source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The government denied reports that the Romanian government would donate 450,000 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Korea. It stated that discussions are underway for a 'vaccine swap' based on future exchange, not a unilateral free donation.

On the 21st, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said, "The reported free donation of vaccines by the Romanian government is not true," and added, "Discussions are ongoing between Korea and Romania in the context of a vaccine swap."

Earlier, Romanian local media reported that the Romanian government would donate 450,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine to Korea. These vaccines are nearing expiration due to the slower vaccination pace during the summer season in Romania. This vaccine donation was also interpreted as a gesture of gratitude for the support of diagnostic kits and protective equipment provided to Romania during the early spread of COVID-19 in March last year.

The quarantine authorities acknowledged the background, saying, "We have built trust between the two countries by supporting diagnostic kits and other protective equipment to the Romanian government in March last year," but clarified that they are only negotiating a reciprocal swap and are not receiving a unilateral vaccine donation from Romania.

If 450,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine are introduced domestically through the vaccine swap, it will be the second successful vaccine swap. Previously, the Korean government received 782,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine from Israel last month through a vaccine swap. That quantity is scheduled to be returned between September and November.

The government explained, "We have been promoting vaccine cooperation with major countries, including the donation of Janssen vaccines from the United States and vaccine exchanges with Israel," and added, "Romania is also one of the countries under discussion for cooperation." The Korean government has also received 1,413,000 doses of the Janssen vaccine free of charge from the United States, which were used for vaccinations of reservists and civil defense personnel.

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