Government vaccines secured 26 million people…Vaccination schedule is undecided
Pfizer is expected to be introduced in the third quarter…AstraZeneca and Janssen are in clinical trials
Group immunity possible at the end of next year…’Severe winter concerns’
As early as the first quarter of next year, it is expected that a novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) vaccine will be introduced in Korea, starting with the AstraZeneca vaccine. Currently, the government contracts for a total of 26 million people, and plans to complete the vaccination before the next year’s influenza (flu) outbreak. However, two of the companies contracted by the government are still undergoing clinical trials, and the Pfizer vaccine, which is actually being vaccinated worldwide, will be available in Korea only in the third and fourth quarters of next year.
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━ Pfizer and Janssen also signed an additional contract…Securing 26 million vaccines |
According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on the 24th, the government signed a vaccine purchase contract for 20 million Pfizer doses (10 million people) and 6 million Janssen doses (6 million people). Pfizer vaccine is currently being vaccinated in major countries around the world, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, as well as in Latin America and the Middle East, and development is fast. Although it showed 95% of the preventive effect in clinical practice, the cost of a single dose is 19.5 dollars (25,000 won), which is higher than other vaccines. In addition, there is a disadvantage of maintaining a cryogenic state below -70°C when distributing the vaccine.
The vaccine Janssen is developing is a virus vector (carrier) type vaccine, similar to AstraZeneca, which has already completed a contract for 10 million people. The government originally planned to purchase 4 million Janssen vaccines, but finally secured an additional 2 million doses through cooperation with the manufacturer. The vaccine costs $10 (1,900 won), two to three times more expensive than the AstraZeneca vaccine, but it can be effective with just one dose. However, unlike Pfizer, Moder, or vaccine, it is currently undergoing phase 3 clinical trials, so it is difficult to determine when the actual vaccination will be possible after obtaining approval from the health authorities.
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━ Inoculation schedule is undecided…’Corona Winter’ at this time of next year |
With this contract, Korea has signed a contract to purchase a total of 3 types of COVID-19 vaccine for 26 million people. The government plans to introduce AstraZeneca in the first quarter of next year, Janssen in the second quarter, and Pfizer in the third quarter. On that day, Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun said, “The Janssen vaccine is available in the second quarter,” but the actual inoculation plan is expected to be established after the introduction. The quarantine authorities also explained that “the total amount of contracts does not come in all at once.” In addition to the United States, Canada and other countries also announced plans to introduce a vaccine for Modena, which was approved for emergency use, saying, “We are negotiating with the goal of signing a contract in January next year.”
When the quarantine authorities introduce a vaccine, the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety proceeds with the approval process. Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Janssen have already applied for non-clinical tests and prior review of quality data. As the spread of Corona 19 is severe, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is expected to proceed with the approval process faster than usual, but in the case of AstraZeneca and Janssen, it is difficult to determine the vaccination schedule as Phase 3 clinical trials have not yet been completed. Accordingly, it is highly likely that the actual vaccination in Korea will take place around the second half of next year.
The government plans to proceed with vaccination as much as possible before next November, when the influenza outbreak, as 60-70% of the population must be vaccinated for collective immunity, but the current schedule seems difficult to achieve. Kim Woo-joo, a professor of infectious medicine at the University of Guro Hospital, said, “In order for group immunity to be achieved, it takes about 6 to 7 months after vaccination begins.” “At the current rate of introduction, the Korean people must be with Corona 19 next winter. I will.”
/ Reporter Jihye Seo [email protected]
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