The supply of vaccines for novel coronavirus infections (Corona 19) in Europe shows signs of turmoil, such as warnings of lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers by governments, but the government said, “There is no problem with the domestic vaccine supply plan.”
Astra 1Q EU supply cut by 60%
Pfizer shipment reduction… North American road emergency
New York State “97% of vaccines are already exhausted”
Korean government “No supply and demand problem in the first quarter”
Reuters reported on the 23rd that “the initial supply of AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccines to be supplied to the European Union in the first quarter of this year is expected to be 31 million doses. This is 39% of the 80 million doses promised in the first quarter.” . Astra vaccine is expected to be supplied to 27 EU member states from mid-next month upon approval by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) at the end of this month. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that AstraZeneca was belatedly working to improve productivity.
The initial supply of vaccines for Pfizer and Bioentech, which the EU has contracted for 600 million doses, is expected to decrease. Earlier, Pfizer said it would reduce vaccine shipments over the next few weeks with the expansion of its Belgian production facility. As a result, vaccination is hindered in Europe and North America. The BBC reported on the 22nd that vaccinations were temporarily suspended in Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia and several regions in Italy, and that in Madrid, Spain, vaccinations were also suspended. EU member states such as Italy, Germany, and Spain recently announced that the supply of vaccines has decreased by 20-50% from plan. Canadian health officials said Pfizer has delayed deliveries for the next week’s supply, and that supply will be significantly reduced over the next three weeks.
Some European countries are even pressing legal action on vaccine suppliers. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on his Facebook page on the 23rd that “AstraZeneca’s reduction in vaccine supply is a serious breach of contract and will consider all legal action.” Poland also warned of legal action against AstraZeneca and Pfizer. Hungary has self-approved and signed a supply contract for the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, which has not been approved by the EU.
Vaccine shortages were also seen in the United States. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on the 22nd that “97% of the amount of vaccine supplied has been used and will soon be exhausted.” Louisiana and New Jersey also complained of lack of vaccines.
In this situation, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Central Defense Response Headquarters said on the 24th that “Korea will receive AstraZeneca vaccine produced by SK Bioscience from the first quarter, and there is no change in the plan until now.” The government believes that there will be no disruption in supply as Korea receives domestically produced vaccines. In Korea, SK Bioscience is commissioned to produce AstraZeneca vaccine and NovaVax vaccine.
In early February, Korea is planning to inoculate 50,000 Pfizer vaccines to the first line of medical staff who care for corona19 patients before the Lunar New Year holidays through COVAX facility (multi-national vaccine joint purchase method). In mid-February, 750,000 domestic-produced AstraZeneca vaccines will be released first. AstraZeneca vaccine will be supplied sequentially to 10 million people.
20 million people for Modena vaccine and 6 million people for Janssen vaccine will arrive in the second quarter, and 10 million people for Pfizer will arrive in the third quarter. NovaVax vaccine will also supply 20 million domestic vaccines through a technology introduction contract with SK Bioscience. A total of 10 million vaccines have been pre-purchased through COVAX, but it is unclear when and what kind of vaccine will be available in addition to the first quantity of 50,000 Pfizer vaccines.
Reporter Esther and Seok Kyung-min [email protected]