The government, which is struggling to secure a vaccine for the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19), has even suspended exports of domestically produced vaccines as an alternative. The target vaccine is an AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine that is being produced on commission by SK Bioscience. Experts point out, “Suspension of exports is an extreme measure to ignore the international trade order, and it is a card to consider whether to take it out at the end, but it is too early to discuss it already.”
Introduced as a card to secure early vaccines
When AZ’s consignment order is suspended, it is more profitable than profit.
Controversy that you can’t even get a cobax
At a briefing on the 6th, Jung Yu-jin, head of the vaccine introduction team of the Corona 19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, said, “We are reviewing all possible alternatives to properly introduce the vaccine early on,” after receiving a question about the export restrictions of AZ vaccine. “It is difficult to specify something in the family method during the process of reviewing the alternative,” Jung explained, “but we are reviewing the possible parts as much as possible.”
Immediately after the briefing, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sent a message to reporters to reconfirm the plan. At the end of last month, the attitude of the disease agency, which was “not currently under review,” has changed. In a call with the JoongAng Ilbo, an official from the disease administration said, “It is not that we are going to review or promote it right away.” “I don’t know how the situation will change rapidly in the future.
India, which previously stopped exporting AZ vaccines, is different from Korea. An official from the pharmaceutical industry said, “India can stop exporting by receiving technology transfer from AZ,” and “Korea cannot do it at will because it is a simple consignment production.” However, the export of NovaVax vaccine is possible because SK Bioscience has signed a contract to receive technology transfer.
However, if the export of AZ vaccine is stopped, adverse measures will continue. First of all, AZ will no longer place additional orders from SK. Cobax Facility (International Vaccine Supply Council) also does not entrust vaccine production to SK plants. They do not receive 9.73 million vaccines scheduled to be imported from Kovacs. If Korea produces AZ vaccine at will, it is highly likely to go into international lawsuits.
Jeong Ki-seok (Professor of Respiratory Internal Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital) pointed out, “The government has been emphasizing the inclusion of the international community, but if the export is stopped, it will lose its reputation in the international community and lead to a small exploration room.” Jeong Jae-hoon, a professor of preventive medicine at Gachon University Hospital, said, “Korea exports vaccines, but there are also all imports such as mRNA vaccines. Restricting exports could result in penalties for imported vaccines.”
Reporters Seongsik Shin, Esther, Taeyoon Lee [email protected]
