Will the 44 million vaccines our government secures enough? When will the vaccination be available? How effective is the existing vaccine against mutant coronavirus identified in the UK? As expectations for the COVID-19 vaccine increase, the question is also increasing.
■ When will the domestic vaccination be available?
Other countries have already started vaccination. When is it possible in Korea?
In the case of AstraZeneca vaccine contracted by the government, Kim Jeong-ki, who appeared on KBS1 yesterday (23rd), said, “At the end of February next year, if there are several variables, it is expected that the vaccination will not enter until March. “I am wondering if it will be possible in February,” he said. As the AstraZeneca vaccine has been controversial in the Phase 3 clinical trial, it will take time for further clinical trials, Professor Kim predicted. Professor Kim said, “The AstraZeneca vaccine is administered twice every four weeks. No matter how fast or small it is, it takes about two months to see the results,” he said. “I think the results will come out around the end of January and early February.” I explained.
Professor Kim explained that even if the US FDA does not approve the AstraZeneca vaccine, we can decide to introduce it at our own discretion. Professor Kim said, “It is the responsibility of individual countries to approve and use drugs such as vaccines and treatments,” he said. “Approving by the US FDA and referring to the results is the most ideal, but it does not matter. It is not that important whether the US FDA approves or not.” I said.
The introduction of Pfizer, modder, or vaccine, which the government is pursuing purchase contracts with, is expected to be introduced only in the second half of next year. Professor Kim said, “Because some countries have pre-purchased a large amount of Pfizer, modder, or vaccine, in the case of Korea, which makes a contract after that, it will be pushed out of priority and will only come in the second half of next year.”
■ Vaccine safety and urgency, what comes first?
The government has repeatedly announced its position to the effect that it is not necessary to rush vaccination given the’safety’ of the vaccine. However, according to a recent poll, more than half of the respondents said that the’emergency’ of the vaccine was given priority, indicating that they put more weight than’safety’. What about the expert opinion?
Professor Kim said, “In the case of treatments for severely ill patients, even if safety is somewhat lacking, the focus is on the high therapeutic effect, but the vaccine is not vaccinated to patients, but basically to healthy people, so the original focus is on safety. That’s right,” he explained. However, he added, “In the case of Corona 19, it is a very serious situation, so it seems that the part of urgency has risen as another topic.”
■ Will the 44 million vaccines be enough?
Is there enough vaccine supply? Professor Kim saw no. Professor Kim explained, “It’s actually not enough to have 44 million people right now,” he said. “In my opinion, 100% of the population should be vaccinated, but I think that proper collective immunity can be formed.” He believes that other problems could arise with the current target vaccination of 50-60% of the people.
Professor Kim also emphasized the need to prepare for an emergency situation. In other words, “Pfizer or “Since the safety problem of modders or vaccines may arise, and the supply itself may be delayed further, it is necessary to secure additional quantities.”
■ Is there any effect on’mutated corona’?
We are also interested in whether these existing vaccines will work against the mutant coronavirus identified in the UK. Pharmaceutical companies are announcing that the vaccine developed now will be effective against the mutant coronavirus, but Professor Kim’s explanation was a little different.
Professor Kim said, “(Looking at the mutant virus) there was a phenomenon in which two amino acids in the most important spike protein site were eliminated,” he said. “Because of the mutation of a very important site, there is a possibility that the efficacy of (the existing vaccine) is reduced or not. I said. He said, “Each pharmaceutical company predicts that there will be no major problems with the efficacy of the vaccine, but I think the research results should be progressed.”
▶ Go to’Corona 19 3rd Pandemic Special’
http://news.kbs.co.kr/special/coronaSpecialMain.html