Through Korea-UK Vaccine Cooperation, 1 Million Doses of Pfizer Introduced... Used for Second Vaccination of Ages 50 and 18-49 (Update)

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The government plans to introduce 1 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine through vaccine cooperation with the United Kingdom.

The Pan-Government Vaccine Introduction Task Force (led by Kwon Deok-cheol, Minister of Health and Welfare) announced that it signed a vaccine mutual supply agreement with the UK government on the 22nd.

Our government will receive 1 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine from the UK government and return them in installments by December, with the specific supply schedule currently under negotiation.

The two governments have been discussing the possibility of mutual vaccine supply to utilize vaccines more efficiently since the end of August.

They have cooperated on various international issues such as COVID-19 and climate change response, and on the 20th (local time), during the Korea-UK summit and other major diplomatic events, they strengthened consensus on the necessity of mutual supply and confirmed their intention to promptly conclude the agreement.

The vaccines introduced from the UK are expected to be used for second doses for people in their 50s and young adults aged 18 to 49.

The government stated, "With the introduction of 1 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, it is expected to contribute to the stable achievement of 70% second-dose vaccination nationwide by the end of October," and added, "We plan to continue various efforts to ensure stable domestic vaccine supply."

Furthermore, as mutual vaccine supply and repurchase have become active worldwide due to differences in vaccine supply timing, the Korean government also plans to contribute to international cooperation for efficient vaccine use and COVID-19 response.

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