Securing up to 120 million doses of Pfizer next year... Also pursuing 10 million doses of domestic vaccines secured

Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The government has purchased an additional maximum of 60 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine to be used for COVID-19 vaccinations next year.

On the 5th, the government announced that it signed a contract with Pfizer to purchase an additional 30 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine early to secure the vaccines needed for COVID-19 vaccinations next year. Earlier, in August, the government had already purchased 30 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine to secure vaccines for additional nationwide booster shots next year.

Both the previous contract and this contract include an 'option' clause allowing the government to quickly purchase an additional 30 million doses each if it deems more vaccines necessary, in addition to the confirmed 30 million doses each. As a result, the total number of Pfizer vaccine doses secured by the government for next year has increased to a maximum of 120 million doses.

The government expects that the secured 60 million doses of vaccine will be supplied sequentially starting from the first quarter of next year. The 60 million doses specified as options will be carefully reviewed in terms of vaccination schedules, targets, and required amounts, and additional purchases will be pursued if necessary.

In August, subject administration for the Phase 3 clinical trial of SK Bioscience's COVID-19 vaccine candidate 'GBP510' is underway at Dong-A University Hospital in Busan. (Photo by SK Bioscience)

Meanwhile, interest is focusing on whether domestically produced vaccines can be introduced in Korea next year as SK Bioscience announced successful Phase 1 and 2 clinical trial results for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate 'GBP510' on the morning of the same day.

SK Bioscience announced Phase 1 and 2 clinical trial results confirming the formation of neutralizing antibodies that neutralize the COVID-19 virus in 99% of the vaccinated group who received GBP510 together with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)'s adjuvant. SK Bioscience is conducting multinational Phase 3 clinical trials involving more than 4,000 participants, including over 500 in Korea.

Park Jun-gu, head of the Vaccine Contract Team at the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, explained, "Regarding the domestic COVID-19 vaccine, 15 million doses were expected this year, and an advance payment of 72 billion KRW was reflected in the supplementary budget, and for next year, 10 million doses are planned, with 192 billion KRW reflected in the government budget proposal." If the development of the domestic vaccine is successful next year, a total budget of 264 billion KRW will be prepared for purchasing the domestic vaccine. Previously, the government stated that it would finalize the pre-purchase target by comprehensively considering efficacy and safety based on interim results of Phase 2 clinical trials and entry into Phase 3 clinical trials.

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