[Flu Vaccine Suspension Day 2] "Will Pay to Get It" Vaccine Shortage Chaos (Summary)

COVID-19 Anxiety Adds Up, Surge in Inquiries Even Among Free Flu Vaccination Recipients
Four Failed Bids Cause 'Squeaky' Distribution Tender...Medical Field Ultimately in Chaos

On the morning of the 23rd, citizens lined up for flu vaccinations at the Seoul Western Branch of the Korea Health Management Association Health Promotion Clinic in Gangseo-gu, Seoul.

[Asia Economy Reporters Seo So-jeong, Choi Dae-yeol, Jo Hyun-ui] Two days after the sudden suspension of flu vaccine distribution, confusion is spreading at frontline medical institutions. Although free vaccinations have been halted, some elderly individuals and parents with infants and young children continue to receive paid vaccinations.

On the 23rd, a pediatrician at a clinic in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, said, "After the government stopped free vaccinations, some people said they would pay to get vaccinated," adding, "From yesterday until this morning, about 20 people received paid vaccinations." A pediatrician in Mapo-gu, Seoul, also stated, "Since yesterday, inquiries about flu vaccinations have increased, but currently free vaccinations are suspended, so we are informing people that they can get vaccinated for a fee," and explained, "The paid vaccines were secured by each medical institution, so they are different from the vaccines that have been reported to have distribution issues."

"Eligible for free vaccination but willing to pay" Confusion

Although there was little time to respond, the sudden decision by health authorities has caused confusion not only among frontline medical institutions but also among the public, raising concerns about a possible 'vaccine crisis.' With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, if government investigations confirm quality issues, there is a possibility of vaccine shortages.

A nurse at a clinic in Jongno-gu, Seoul, said, "Fortunately, no one aged 13 to 18 came for free flu vaccinations yesterday or today, but we have been receiving numerous calls asking, 'When can I get the flu vaccine?'" Lee Mo (32), a mother of a 7-year-old child whom we met at a hospital in Mapo-gu, Seoul, said, "The government announced that free vaccinations would resume in about two weeks, but as a parent, I can't help but feel anxious," adding, "I thought it would be safer to get vaccinated for a fee, so I brought my children here."

Mr. Jo, in his 60s, living in Yongsan-gu, said, "I want to get vaccinated for free, but I think it's better to get vaccinated early," adding, "Since it is said that getting COVID-19 and the flu at the same time is more dangerous, I plan to pay and get vaccinated with my grandchild."

There are also rumors regarding this year's free vaccination vaccine procurement process, which was unusually difficult compared to previous years. It is said that the problem arose because negotiations dragged on due to excessively low prices. When the government announced a bid to purchase 10.8 million doses of influenza (flu) vaccine in late June, the decided price was 8,490 KRW per dose (one dose equals one vaccination).

Two pharmaceutical wholesalers participated, but initially both exceeded the maximum bid price. In the subsequent rebid, the price was met, but supply commitment letters were not obtained from vaccine manufacturers and importers, resulting in the bid being canceled. To supply flu vaccines, supply commitment letters must be obtained from at least five manufacturers or importers.

A nurse is holding up a flu vaccine at a hospital in Songpa-gu, Seoul.

The Troubled Vaccine Bidding: What Happened That Day

The failure to obtain supply commitment letters was due to unresolved differences between the government and vaccine manufacturers and importers during negotiations that lasted several months from early this year. About three weeks after the first failed bid, a rebid at the end of July saw only one company submit a bid, resulting in another failure. A week later, in another bid, five wholesalers participated, but twice exceeded the price limit, failing to find a successful bidder. On the third attempt, two top-ranked companies were shortlisted, but again supply commitment letters were not obtained, leading to a final failure. At this time, the price was slightly raised to 8,790 KRW per dose. In a bid held in August, 12 companies participated; some met the price, but again no supply commitment letters were obtained, so no final contract was signed.

After several rebids, at the end of August, the second-ranked company, Shinseong Pharmaceutical, signed the final contract. The flu vaccine price decided after many twists and turns this year was 9,870 KRW per dose (based on total contract), about 60% of the market price (16,000 KRW). For medical aid recipients or disability allowance recipients eligible for free vaccination under the 4th supplementary budget, the budget was allocated based on market prices rather than the procured contract price.

Meanwhile, some of the 5 million doses of vaccines previously supplied were reportedly exposed to room temperature. Room temperature exposure can affect the protein content directly related to vaccine efficacy, so the government decided to examine this carefully. According to data from 'PASS,' a vaccine-related nonprofit organization, in 2012, some vaccines showed changes in protein structure after two weeks at 25 degrees Celsius, while others showed no changes even after four weeks.