[Exclusive] Pfizer Pills to Be Given First to Unvaccinated Elderly... 20,000 Doses to Arrive Next Week

Introduction of 20,000 doses in Korea on the 13th
"Greater harm if unvaccinated get infected"

Pfizer's COVID-19 Treatment Pill 'Paxlovid' Approved by US FDA
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Approximately 20,000 doses of Pfizer's oral COVID-19 treatment from the United States are expected to be introduced to South Korea around the 13th. This is the first batch of the 762,000 doses of the oral treatment 'Paxlovid' that the government has contracted to purchase from Pfizer. This batch is expected to be prioritized for supply to unvaccinated individuals aged 60 and above.

A health official stated on the 10th, "The oral treatment to be introduced this week consists of about 20,000 doses from Pfizer," adding, "Since the initial quantity is insufficient, there remain tasks such as selecting priority recipients and coordinating supply institutions."

The oral treatment to be introduced this time will be supplied primarily to unvaccinated elderly individuals aged 60 and above. Professor Jeong Jae-hoon of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Gachon University College of Medicine said, "To prevent the progression to severe illness in confirmed cases and to support the healthcare system response, the priority recipients for the oral treatment should be unvaccinated individuals," adding, "While the treatment effect on unvaccinated individuals is certain, there may still be controversy regarding administering it to them first."

Kwon Deok-cheol, the 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), also stated on the same day, "It is a scientific fact that fully vaccinated individuals suffer less severe illness or death upon infection compared to unvaccinated individuals," explaining, "Although unvaccinated individuals make up only 6% of the population aged 18 and over in our country, they accounted for 30% of confirmed cases in the past two months (October 31 to December 25 last year) and 53% of critical and death cases." According to an analysis of confirmed cases from April to December last year, the rate of severe illness among unvaccinated individuals was five times higher, and the mortality rate was four times higher compared to those fully vaccinated.

The government is currently finalizing plans to administer oral treatments next to unvaccinated individuals aged 80 and above, then vaccinated individuals aged 60 and above as the second and third priority groups, followed by individuals aged 12 to 59 with underlying conditions. The government will purchase and supply the treatments free of charge to home patients, residential treatment centers, and hospitals.

However, there is ongoing coordination between the Ministry of Health and Welfare and pharmacist organizations such as the Korean Pharmaceutical Association regarding the method of delivering oral treatments to home patients. Since Paxlovid must be taken within five days of symptom onset to be effective, an efficient drug delivery system is necessary. The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to maintain the existing drug delivery system for COVID-19 home patients during the initial supply phase but expects to expand the role of pharmacies in the future due to the increased workload at public health centers.

Previously, the government signed purchase contracts for a total of 1,004,000 doses, including 762,000 doses of Pfizer's Paxlovid and 242,000 doses of Merck & Company (MSD)'s 'Molnupiravir.' The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety granted emergency use authorization for Pfizer's Paxlovid last month. The government has not yet made purchase plans for oral treatments developed by domestic companies. Currently, 11 domestic companies are conducting clinical trials for oral treatments, with 2 in phase 1, 6 in phase 2, and 3 in phase 3.

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