SK Bioscience Begins Domestic Introduction of Novavax Vaccine Production

'Synthetic Antigen' Vaccine with Fewer Side Effects
2 Million Doses Scheduled for Supply This Month
Vaccinations May Begin as Early as the End of This Week

On the morning of the 9th, the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine 'Nuvaxovid Prefilled Syringe' was shipped from the SK Bioscience L House Vaccine Center in Andong-si, Gyeongbuk. (Photo by SK Bioscience)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The Novavax vaccine, the fifth COVID-19 vaccine to be administered domestically, was introduced to South Korea on the 9th. SK Bioscience not only undertook contract manufacturing (CMO) but also directly participated in development, enhancing vaccination convenience and demonstrating the capabilities of the domestic bioindustry.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare and SK Bioscience held a shipment ceremony for the country’s first synthetic antigen (recombinant gene) COVID-19 vaccine, ‘Nuvaxovid Prefilled Syringe,’ at SK Bioscience’s L House Vaccine Center in Andong, Gyeongbuk, on the morning of the same day. This vaccine is the fifth to be administered domestically following AstraZeneca (AZ), Pfizer, Janssen, and Moderna, and the third COVID-19 vaccine produced and supplied domestically after AZ and Moderna.

The quantity shipped on this day was 292,000 doses. Including this, SK Bioscience plans to supply about 2 million doses within this month. The total amount contracted by the Korean government with Novavax is 40 million doses. Although the initial introduction was promised last year, approval delays pushed it into this year.

Through this Novavax vaccine supply, SK Bioscience has solidified its position as a top-tier vaccine company by producing the AZ vaccine’s bulk and finished products during the early COVID-19 pandemic and now producing the Novavax vaccine as well. Notably, while the Novavax vaccine is mostly distributed overseas in vials containing 10 doses, the domestically distributed vaccine was improved into a single-dose prefilled syringe form through SK Bioscience’s additional research and development (R&D). This single-dose prefilled syringe requires no dilution or aliquoting, reducing contamination risk and lessening healthcare workers’ burden. This is unique among currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines.

However, the doses shipped on this day will not be immediately used for domestic vaccination. The vaccination plan for the Novavax vaccine will be announced on the afternoon of the 10th. Actual vaccinations are expected to begin no earlier than the end of this week. Until the plan is announced, the shipped vaccines will be stored at GC Green Cross’s logistics hub in Pyeongtaek, which handles domestic distribution, awaiting release.

The government plans to leverage the advantages of the prefilled syringe format to start vaccinating high-risk unvaccinated groups this month, including patients in long-term care hospitals and facilities, hospitalized patients in medical institutions, and those with mobility difficulties, before expanding to the general unvaccinated population. The Novavax vaccine was developed using the synthetic antigen method traditionally used in vaccines for influenza, hepatitis B, cervical cancer, and others. Because it carries a relatively low risk of side effects, it is expected to improve vaccination rates among those who have refused vaccination due to concerns about adverse reactions.

Cross-vaccination and third-dose vaccinations are also expected. The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to allow Novavax vaccination even for those who received their first and second doses with other vaccines. As a result, approximately 17 million people will be eligible for the Novavax vaccine, including 1.44 million unvaccinated individuals aged 18 and over as of the previous day, plus 15.89 million who have not yet received their second or third doses. However, cross-vaccination will only be permitted for those who were medically prohibited or delayed from additional vaccination in prior doses.

Minister of Health and Welfare Kwon Deok-cheol said, "With the introduction of the Novavax vaccine domestically, we expect not only to increase vaccination rates but also to make a significant contribution to establishing South Korea as a global vaccine hub in terms of production technology. Since this vaccine is produced using the synthetic antigen method and is familiar to our people through previous vaccinations, it will serve as an opportunity for those who have not yet been vaccinated to participate more actively."

SK Bioscience President Ahn Jae-yong stated, "In the pandemic situation, we have introduced various globally developed vaccines to contribute to national quarantine policies and are also completing our own vaccine. We will protect more people more safely from the virus with vaccines based on a proven platform."

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