Adolescents Begin 'Novavax' Vaccination... Domestic First Vaccine 'Skycovione' Also Administered Same Day

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The COVID-19 vaccine from Novavax has expanded its vaccination age to adolescents aged 12 to 17. The first domestically developed COVID vaccine, Skycovione, developed by SK Bioscience, has also begun vaccinations for adults.

The quarantine authorities announced that as of 12 PM on the 5th, a total of four adolescents had received the Novavax vaccine. Three received their first dose with Novavax, and one received the third dose.

The Novavax vaccine was developed using a recombinant (synthetic antigen) method, which has been used for a long time in existing vaccines such as hepatitis B and influenza, and is known to cause less aversion compared to mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna).

From the 5th, the vaccination age for Novavax was expanded from 18 and older to 12 and older, allowing adolescents aged 12 to 17 to make advance reservations and apply for same-day vaccinations. Previously, Pfizer was the only COVID-19 vaccine available for adolescents.

However, on the first day of adolescent vaccinations, it was reported that some medical institutions refused same-day Novavax vaccinations for adolescents. The quarantine authorities stated, "Although education on the expanded vaccination age for Novavax was conducted with local governments and medical institutions, some confusion may occur on site due to errors," and added, "We will continue to strengthen guidance."

Novavax is distributed in prefilled syringes containing a single dose per syringe, so unlike other vaccines that come in multi-dose vials, same-day vaccinations using leftover vaccine reservations are not available.

Meanwhile, the domestically developed first COVID-19 vaccine, Skycovione Multi-dose (hereafter Skycovione), developed by SK Bioscience, also became available for same-day vaccination at public health centers and some designated medical institutions starting this day. As of 12 PM on the 5th, two people had received same-day vaccinations with Skycovione.

Advance reservations accepted from the 1st will be available for vaccination starting from the 13th. As of midnight on the 5th, a total of 36 people had made advance reservations for Skycovione.

The Skycovione vaccine is used for primary vaccinations of unvaccinated adults aged 18 and older, with an interval of 28 days between the first and second doses.

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